The Worship and Leadership Podcast
Real conversations on worship, leadership, and living a faith-filled life beyond the platform. Hosted by leaders from LifePoint Church, this podcast is here to inspire, equip, and challenge you—whether you’re leading in ministry, in the marketplace, or just learning to lead yourself well.
The Worship and Leadership Podcast
What We Learned This Year
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What if your year-end review could be more than metrics and memories—what if it became a map for the season ahead? We wrapped season four around that idea, mixing laughter with honest lessons on leadership, worship, and the everyday choices that shape community. From playful “sponsor” bits to a grounding read of Ecclesiastes 3, we circle back to the core: seasons shift, but Jesus remains steady, and that changes how we plan, rest, and lead.
If this season encouraged you, share it with a friend, subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next, and leave a review with your one-word charge for the new year. Your voice helps others find the show and join a community learning to worship, lead, and rest with wisdom.
Hey, what's going on everyone? And welcome to the Worship and Leadership Podcast. My name is Elmer Cañas Jr., and like always, it's a great privilege to be able to spend time with you on this podcast. And I'm dragging out what I'm saying because I could see from the corner of my eye that my boy right here, Willie's, is like just having fun. He's like, No, that. What's up? What's up?
SPEAKER_01:Yo, what up, man? I'm excited because we got some shenanigans planned for today. Okay. Yeah, we have we have two co-conspirators joining us in the studio. You know what I'm saying? And it's the final episode of our season. Yep. Season four, right?
SPEAKER_00:Season four comes to an end.
SPEAKER_01:Four seasons. Like the four seasons hotel. Like Vivaldi four seasons. So today in the studio with us, over here to my left side, we have the one and only Tiffany Duncan, otherwise known as Tiffy Toes.
SPEAKER_06:I thought I was just gonna get a GSP.
SPEAKER_01:Tiffany Terrific.
SPEAKER_06:Oh, taking it way back.
SPEAKER_01:You know what I'm saying? That's an old school OG nickname. Welcome in, Tiff.
SPEAKER_06:Hey, it's good to be here. At the table.
SPEAKER_01:At the table. Yeah. Over here to my right side, we have the funjoner. She is a joy fountain. The funeral. The funjoner. She is a joy fountain. She is our guest experience coordinator, central guest experience coordinator, but she literally can do anything and everything. Y'all give it up for Emily Hines.
SPEAKER_05:Hello, hello. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. It's still going.
SPEAKER_00:Look, I can adjust it, right?
SPEAKER_06:Oh, they gave you access to the button.
SPEAKER_01:Look what you did. Sorry. Didn't know it's gonna hit you with the womp womp.
SPEAKER_05:I see how it is. So, with that being said, since it's our last, we actually have some fun things, well, four fun things planned a little bit that y'all don't know about.
SPEAKER_03:Okay. Okay.
SPEAKER_05:So I will have to say we do need to be aware of that there are four sponsors of today's episode.
SPEAKER_04:Okay. Okay.
SPEAKER_05:Yeah. And what is gonna happen is when y'all see that it is time for sponsors, one of us is going to hand one of you a card, and you're going to have to thank our sponsors.
SPEAKER_00:Okay. Okay. Hopefully. SNL skit. We want to thank everyone for being here.
SPEAKER_01:We want to thank Preparation H.
unknown:Oh.
SPEAKER_01:Being one of our sponsors.
SPEAKER_02:Wow.
SPEAKER_00:Maybe not preparation.
SPEAKER_05:I mean, you never know what's going to happen. And so before we really dive into it, we would like to thank our first sponsor.
SPEAKER_00:Okay.
SPEAKER_05:Yeah. Oh.
SPEAKER_00:Okay, we want to thank our first sponsor of the episode Whisk Away Dead Cat Removal. Whisk away dead cat removal. They specialize in dead cat removal. No questions ask. And for an additional fee, they can remove live ones as well. If you have more than five cats, they will not service or provide services.
SPEAKER_01:Let's whisk away dead cat removal. Yes. Call them before you have to say meow.
SPEAKER_00:Is that good?
SPEAKER_03:That was crazy. Look at Jake. I can't wait for the next one.
SPEAKER_00:I was gonna do this right here. Like, I was gonna go, um, like this is our last episode of the season. And y'all know this jam. It's like I remember my elementary graduation. This was a song.
SPEAKER_06:This was my eighth grade dance. So I'm old. This is gonna age up. This is homecoming.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, they played just their homecoming high school forms.
SPEAKER_05:It's like this.
SPEAKER_00:Alright, I don't want to get us kicked off the air by playing the whole song. And so yeah, it's fun.
SPEAKER_06:There's that one. That that is a way we could have gone today. That happens. Yeah.
SPEAKER_00:Sure it is. Oh man. But you know, as we're talking about, this is our last episode, and we wanted to kind of recap this year. Yeah. And we could talk about the episodes, and I think at some point we will, we could bring some of them up. But what did we learn? You know, I know a lot of what we say and what we provide, the resources, the several conversations that we've had with different guests, it's to help resource different people. But along the way, just sitting with you guys at this table, it's like I've grown a lot and I've learned a lot. I've gained wisdom. You we've all shared wisdom with one another, and it's been real edifying. And and I just want to go around the table, like, what is what are things that we probably have learned, and how have we grown this year from this this hour that we get to spend together?
SPEAKER_01:I'll go. So I I learned what one of my favorite episodes was when we had Pastor Bo on and we were talking about family and ministry and just like the different rhythms, and and so he he had talked about some of the things that they would do on the weekends and the evenings, and that was that was very encouraging. It was it was convicting, but it was it was encouraging because you know you don't have to try to reinvent the wheel, you just have to be intentional about creating space. And I and I think that was the same episode too, Omer, that you had shared about the family calendar.
SPEAKER_00:Oh yeah.
SPEAKER_01:And so that day I we went when I got a magnetic calendar, and so it's got two parts. It's got the the monthly deal, so we have the monthly rhythms, and then we have a weekly one as well. And it's been great because the whole family now can see what everybody has going on. And like you said, we're you know, during the busier parts of the season, things have slowed down now, but during the busier parts of the season, everybody could see, wow, we have a lot you know going on. And so that was cool to show everybody does have importance in their rhythms, but then we can see the the pockets and the spaces to be intentional about creating that time together. That that that's that was definitely one thing was man, making family ministry a priority is a lot easier than you think it is. It is, it is yeah.
SPEAKER_06:I loved that episode. I think overall, just the um the collaboration of this podcast. Yeah, I think having different people on here, I think just in life, I think asking people questions and listening to what they have to say and hearing just different points of view, you know, different life experience, different answers to questions is just so so cool to take that out of this room and into life in general and just listen to what people have to say. Like ask questions if you're not sure about something and ask a few different people because some things are gonna apply to you, some aren't. And and just you know, taking that, like I said, outside of here and listening to people.
unknown:Yeah.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah. I I thought it was cool a few weeks ago. You guys took over the podcast, Emily. And it was like you're like, we're gonna do a ladies take over. I'm like, okay, sure, do it. But it was really cool, and you guys were talking about empathy and leadership, and and I loved that perspective, like everyone was able to share their their own experiences, but the perspective of of how why that matters, and uh it's it's easy to be like, all right, here's the game plan, here's the strategy, here are the systems. Now let's go implement, let's change the world. But there's there are the tools that we need to operate with, and empathy is one of them in and being able to work and do life with people because we're not running machines, we're uh we're leading people, we're developing people, investing into people. And so I I appreciated that episode and everything you guys said.
SPEAKER_05:That was 100% fun. So much fun, so much fun. But I love how throughout the season that rest kept getting brought up, and I think that was the biggest takeaway for me at least, is you know, it's one of those things we I think we all struggle with knowing how to truly rest. And it was just a good reminder, honestly, sometimes of hey, let's do it. And I love what you said, you took something from on the podcast and you actually did it. Yeah, and so I think that's the thing that I love the most is hearing people actually taking things and doing the things outside of this. And so resting for me was the biggest one this year was learning how to do it properly.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah. I think another thing I learned was, and I'm gonna say this word on purpose, is how influential this podcast was. What I mean by that is getting every time we drop an episode, there are a couple people that are just like like the cheerleaders. One of them one of them is a theater, like every week nearly. He's texting, man, that was a great episode. Sometimes like the day you drop it, I'm like, man, you you must have it tagged where it notifies you when the episode drops. But I it's so encouraging. You don't mine is yeah, I have a 24-hour feed, it's always up. I don't even know. Yeah, I don't need a notification. It's it's always there.
SPEAKER_05:He goes to sleep to your voice.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, absolutely. Oh the soothing baritone sounds. So like that's encouraging because you know, there's a lot involved in this. Like people, you know, don't really, unless you're like in this world, you don't understand the setup that's involved and the tech and and just the labor of love that it is. I mean, you talk about an hour, hour and a half episode. I mean, that's that's a labor of love, right? And so to see that it is a value add for people, like I'm learning, and I mean there'll be people randomly coming up to me in the lobby on Sunday or out in public, you know, especially since we added the video element so they can put names with voices or faces with voices, like that's been really cool to see that this really is impacting our people in a in a positive way, especially when we talk about rest or when we talk about rebuilding trust. That was one of the most impactful episodes where people have just said, Man, Willie, that's what I needed to hear. I've been holding on to hurt, whether it's from church leaders or family members, or man, I you know, uh you know, a figure that I looked up to and I've been struggling with that. That's what I needed to hear. And that for me is just the greatest payoff to see that it really is blessing our people for sure.
SPEAKER_06:Yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_00:I agree. I I I think when we introduced I think it was what two seasons ago or season, Tiffy Toes. Yeah, yeah, and then all of a sudden, like Tiffany had like a different nickname like every other week. That was hilarious. And we had fun, but then like it became even more like we kept egging it on more when people would in church would be like, Yes, oh that's Tiffytoes.
SPEAKER_06:You know, at first I was like, dang. But I do love, like, I feel like it opened up conversations for me in the lobby with people who maybe wouldn't say something like deep right away to me, you know, like from the podcast, you know, they'd be like, Oh, hey, tippy toes, you know, like you're like, oh, you listen to watch the podcast. Like, that's so good. You know, what do you think about it? Like, so I love that that silly thing, like for me, opened up, you know, some some really good conversations with people. Yeah, yeah, you goofballs.
SPEAKER_01:And then we had some of the audience members sending in nickname suggestions.
SPEAKER_05:Amazing.
SPEAKER_01:That was awesome. I was like, yeah, this thing is taking a life of its own now.
SPEAKER_00:And then when Dr. Tim was on, the Yoda sign. And they made him look like Frankenstein, but we're like, it was Einstein and Yoda.
SPEAKER_01:That's what was hilarious was thinking that it was Yoda and Frankenstein.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, no, that's funny. Yeah. Oh, we've had a lot of fun. Yeah. Yeah. And let's see.
SPEAKER_05:I just keep laughing.
SPEAKER_06:I just keep laughing. I'm just thinking of some new Elmer Catania's. That might have been a season back. That might be taking it wave.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, that's that's OG. Because you told that story. Yeah. Thinking somebody was breaking in the house and you got the katana. Yeah, and you was like, man, I'm about to mess some up.
SPEAKER_00:I didn't have a gun. I didn't have a gun. Didn't have a gun, but you had that katana. I was newlywed, and I had a katana blade that was gifted to me. And so just after after 30 minutes of praying in the spirit, my wife almost left me that day because she's like, How did my dad let me marry you? She's like, I think there's someone in the house. And I'm like, hold on, Jesus. And I'm just like praying in tongues. She's like, Are you serious? I'm like, on my knees praying. And then I finally she's like, if you don't go out there, I'm gonna go out there. I'm like, all right, hold on. I get my katana blade and I'm like the sword, and I'm like, please tell me you made the sound effects with it.
SPEAKER_06:I mean I'm about to slice and dice. If only they were one of our sponsors, but I do think it's time to hear from one of our other sponsors.
SPEAKER_01:Oh boy. This episode of the Worship and Leadership Podcast is brought to you by Growth Track. Discover your purpose now in English and Espanol. For more information, visit lifepointchurch.tv slash growth track or see Pastor Nate Cutler. Growth Track. Discover your purpose.
SPEAKER_00:Sounds like one of those prescription commercials.
SPEAKER_06:Yes, and I'm sorry, that one was supposed to go last. I kind of had to make it. I kind of messed up.
SPEAKER_01:No, I'm not there. Keep the song going.
SPEAKER_06:No, there are no side the final growth track.
SPEAKER_01:Side effects may include side effects may include friendship, friendship, community, realizing what God created you to do on this planet, a desire to make a difference in others' lives, meaning and purpose, true joy and satisfaction. Take growth track once a Sunday, as directed. Growth Trap. Discover your purpose.
SPEAKER_04:Oh, this is the greatest.
SPEAKER_01:We just have those announcements.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, it has to become a stable.
SPEAKER_01:That just has to become a thing. Oh wait, there's more.
SPEAKER_00:There's more.
SPEAKER_01:Praise the Lord. So I was thinking about just the scripture, you know, we always, every episode we have an have an anchor scripture. And again, when we when we think about like this is our fourth season, and I think about life being measured, not so much like in days, weeks, months, or years, but in seasons, like in rhythms, right? And so Ecclesiastes chapter three, I think, is a great passage for us to think through. Ecclesiastes chapter three, starting at verse one. For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven. And then the writer of Ecclesiastes talks about all of these different ways that seasons work. There's a time to be born and a time to die, there's a time to plant, a time to pluck up what is planted, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to break down and a time to build up, a time to weep, and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to castaway stones, a time to gather, a time to embrace and to refrain, a time to seek, and a time to lose, a time to keep and to cast away, a time to tear and a time to sow, a time to keep silent, a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war, and a time for peace. And what I have personally learned going through this podcast is that we would end up doing an episode or having a guest on that would speak directly to a season that I was walking through. I I that that is, and I mean only the Lord could do that, you know. You know, uh Pastor Mike would talk about in our sermon prep, we do our sermon prep every Tuesday, and you know, there would be us, you know, we'd be in a series and then we'd be landing on a specific passage, and there would be something happening in our country that would speak, you know, directly to that issue. And it's like, man, we planned this out months ago. And again, you know, Pastor Elmer, you know, you had you know pretty much, you know, collated all of these topics and and guests, you know, in advance. And man, I mean, they would just be speaking, you know, right to us or right to me or right to our people, and you just say, man, you know, how do you you like like you can't, you know, you know, you you can't manufacture that, you can't manipulate that, you know, like like prophetically, where you just man, this episode here where Tiffany was talking about worship and you know, worshiping through pain, like, man, that was speaking to me. And it's like, well, we had that planned months ago. So that's what I've appreciated. That's what I've learned is that seasonally, God just knows how to meet you where you are. And he's done that for me personally, you know, through this this podcast. One of the one of my other favorite podcasts was when we had Pastor Mike on and he was talking about the difference between like healthy authority and control. Yeah. Man, that was so, so good. And just, you know, it was a good reminder that we are under shepherds, serving the good shepherd, and then looking for ways that you know you might be under some unhealthy leadership, but then also making sure you're checking your heart, making sure that you're leading well. It's just it was just a good barometer, you know. Um, so yeah, I really enjoyed that episode.
SPEAKER_00:We had we had an episode where I think it was the first episode that Jay Jayana was on with us, and it rattled a lot of people. Yeah. And and I know in you know, the the fact that she was able to share her testimony and and really be honest about I had to make changes. Yeah, I had to, you know, adjust even my friend group in in order for what the Lord had for me. And that honesty, it kind of like it's it caused some ripples. It did. And it rubbed people the wrong way. And but I I think the this podcast is about being honest, and so that's one of the things I love about our guests is that they they've been honest, transparent, right, bold in sharing stories that they know, like, man, like I'm gonna share this personal story, and it it might possibly hurt feelings, you know, because this is available on the world wide web. Right. And uh, and so is that like an old term, World Wide Web? Yeah, that's possibly man, that's not an old sound like a boomer. Like, yeah, my kids wouldn't know what that was. What's the worldwide? What's the web? The worldwide, right? Yeah, but the fact that like our our guests and and including you were pretty you cried one episode. You were bawling, bro. Like you were crying, do you remember that? Yeah, no, no, I think I think we've cried more than but but it's it's it's been awesome just to see and hear people being transparent, yeah, and irregardless of how people are gonna respond, because at the end of the day, it might rub one or two people the wrong way, but there's always somebody that needs to hear and be encouraged. And and so I just want to encourage you, like you might not always agree with everything that you hear or watch on this podcast, it might just be like, I'm not in that season of life, like you're talking about seasons, like that's way beyond I'm I'm past that, or I'm not there yet. Yeah, but you know, there might be a moment where it will be helpful. Uh, there's things that a lot of parents say, like, oh, I'll never have to deal with that with my kids. And then you have kids and you're like, oh my gosh, like, like, Lord help me. Yeah. Right. And so you thought you're gonna have angels, and it's like, Lord, what happened? And so then you you're confronted with, like, man, I should have listened, like, I should have listened to my parents and my pastor, and so and so. And so you never know when some of these conversations can come in handy. And so we're grateful and thankful for the transparency at for you know from everyone at this table. Amen.
SPEAKER_05:It's fun. It's fun. I love the fact that it is so broad. This podcast does cover so many different areas with people walking through many different seasons. And it is it's a tool. It's a tool for everybody. And that just like you said, you might not, you know, be walking through that one season right now, but hey, you might meet somebody out in the lobby and that has struggling with something, and you just heard one of the topics that we talked about. Hey, let me send this to you. You know, why don't you go look this up? So and that is one thing I love about this. And so many different types of people have been on here to be able to speak into just life. So I just I love it. It's I love it.
SPEAKER_00:I love it. And I think of other podcasts that they that people reference. Like when I'm talking to them, oh, I listen to so and so. And and when I've heard clips, because you know, you see clips on on online online, like I'm I'm on Instagram where I don't have TikTok, but you see these clips on Instagram, and I'm like, yeah, like it gets political, it gets real heavy and harsh, right? And these podcasts have like millions of followers, yeah. You know, and that's great. You know, people like controversy, they like that, but then when somebody's transparent and honest, like they struggle with that, yeah. Or when we're trying to lead them, and that's one of the things with with our podcast, it's this is a Christ-centered podcast. We're trying to lead you to become a fully devoted follower of Jesus. And so we're gonna have scripture, we're gonna talk about Jesus, we're gonna talk about changed lives, and not everyone likes that. Yeah, like you know, we don't have a million followers yet, but like, but but if it we don't, we don't. Like if there's one of you that this is impacting your life, like then it's so worth it.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah. I'm glad you said that, Omri, because to your point, you know, we all of us have have influence, all of us are leaders, and we're influencing somebody in some way. And so you again, I go back to you think about all of the time and the energy that we put into this podcast. I mean, we we sacrifice, we you know, we set a time, a specific block in our day to do this. Time that we could be doing other other things. And so when you think about it as a Christ follower with the kingdom perspective, it's what Ephesians says, you know, you know, redeem the time, make make the best use of the time because the day is evil. There are so many leading voices, there are so many dynamics, there are there are so many other prevailing thought processes and isms that want to tell you and sell you this book bill of goods as being the truth, or like this is gonna lead to life. And we get to leverage our influence to lead people back to Jesus and say, hey, there is there are so many different ways to view this issue, whether it is relationships, marriage, parenting, forgiveness, uh, freedom, rest, work. Like there are so many. We want to give you the kingdom perspective. We want to give you the biblical lens. And you're right, that's not popular, but that way does produce freedom. That way produces like real lasting, you know, life change. And, you know, it's it's at the end of the day, I'm gonna have to give an account of my life to the Lord. And I want to be able to say, man, weekly for at least an hour, Lord, I spent that time directing people to you. I wasn't giving them Willie's opinions, I was giving them God's perspective, you know, through the word.
SPEAKER_06:Yeah, and I love that because that remains constant no matter the season. I mean, I know like, you know, throughout the seasons of these podcasts, I've dealt with a lot personally. The loss of a marriage, remarriage, blended families, like, you know, not that I put it all, you know, out everywhere, but God's word remains constant. And that perspective of always looking to Him and you know, all of the things that we discuss on all of these podcasts applies to everybody and to every season. So I just love that God's word is is good all the time. Come on, man. And you know, his joy is there all of the time and his direction and his guidance and his wisdom no matter the season.
SPEAKER_04:Come on.
SPEAKER_06:So I do love that that's a constant. And you never know what people are walking through, but we can always point them to the Lord who is constant, no matter no matter what season.
SPEAKER_01:On some body, tune up that come on, tune up that B3.
SPEAKER_00:Come on, Tiffany. It's season one, two, two, three, or four. Come on, it doesn't matter.
SPEAKER_01:You can preach. Well, I'm in the winter. Come on, preach now.
SPEAKER_06:I can preach no matter the season. Come on. No matter the season. I can't. I can't do it. You know what? Everybody's got strengths and everybody's got weaknesses. And I just don't, I don't preach to that.
SPEAKER_01:Come on, it doesn't preach the season to that.
SPEAKER_06:You know, we just one of the things I've learned is you let people, you know, walk in their strengths. And so, Pastor Willie, you've got it. You got it.
SPEAKER_01:Tune on my B3 real quick, Elmer, if you don't mind.
SPEAKER_06:I can take a back seat.
SPEAKER_01:That's season. Come on, somebody. One more time for this series. Come on. It doesn't matter this season.
SPEAKER_04:It could be summer, winter, fall, three.
SPEAKER_01:He's a constant. It doesn't matter if there's leaves on the tree, fruit on the ground, it may be snow on the rooftop, it may be raining, turning, or it may be like a listening, maybe you're in a wilderness season. Can I encourage you to hold on to God's understanding, hey? Friends will leave you. The money will get started. But can I tell you that will never leave you? North will take you. He's the friend that's exposed than a brother. He is the great idea. Come on, somebody.
SPEAKER_02:Come on.
SPEAKER_01:I cannot wait to see the playback of this episode. Me Shun Dai and Elm over here dancing. Come on, Shundain. I love it.
SPEAKER_06:I love it.
SPEAKER_05:On that note. We would like to thank our sponsors.
SPEAKER_02:Okay.
SPEAKER_00:I don't know if I can read this.
SPEAKER_02:Um man, I wish I could see this.
SPEAKER_00:Man.
unknown:Bro.
SPEAKER_05:That's up to you.
SPEAKER_06:You have two options.
SPEAKER_00:Oh man.
SPEAKER_06:You can either do the first one or the second one.
SPEAKER_00:You know what?
SPEAKER_06:It's a good thing we have so many sponsors.
SPEAKER_00:I think I'm believing God for a next season. Yeah. So I'm not gonna read this.
SPEAKER_03:Read the other one then.
SPEAKER_00:This one? Alright.
SPEAKER_06:They're all important.
SPEAKER_00:Mildly impressive socks. Not impressive, but just okay.
SPEAKER_01:Are you an average Joe? Are you a lame Linda? Um, do you aspire to just be meh? Well, mildly impressive socks are just for you. Yes. They're made of the absolutely most average materials available. Yes. We went out to the most mundane, uninspired fields and grabbed mid-grade cotton.
SPEAKER_00:Yes.
SPEAKER_01:They were assembled in the world's mid-tier factories. Yes. And they're available at nearly every retailer because they are mildly impressive socks. Wear them to bed. Wear them to your child's recital and to watch them stand around. Wear them on your morning walk that you do maybe once a week. Nervous about that board meeting? Modley impressive socks won't help. Looking to make a great first impression on that first date. Mildly impressive socks will offer no support. They're just okay. Modley impressive socks. Not impressive, just okay.
SPEAKER_00:Oh man. Hey, but we will continue. We'll have live to have another episode.
SPEAKER_03:Yes.
SPEAKER_04:That's my game, too.
SPEAKER_00:I am mad. That's hilarious. Yeah, I wish I could read it.
SPEAKER_01:That was hilarious. That man. I mean, super, super creative. Super creative.
SPEAKER_05:Listen, I'm over here like it almost came out.
SPEAKER_00:I was like, I'm mad.
SPEAKER_05:Nope.
SPEAKER_00:Stuff happens, but I ain't gonna read it.
SPEAKER_05:Oh my gosh. That is hilarious. Oh man. Well, we'll just laugh about it later.
SPEAKER_00:Hey, so let me let me ask you guys this. Like, we're we're going into a new year. Last week we talked about we we uh Willie and I we we did an episode and we're talking talking about Pastor Mike's uh staff chapel when he spoke to all of us as our as a team. We're getting ready to go into the next year. We have Christmas services coming up this weekend, then we have our 21 days of fasting and prayer, and so just preparing our hearts, our minds, our spirits. And one of the things Pastor Mike said, hey, there's some things that aren't intended to go into 2026.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah.
SPEAKER_00:So what what are those things that we need to leave behind? And uh, and I know you shared you you were vulnerable about that, and you didn't cry. No, I did not. I would love to ask the ladies like what are some things as you're thinking about the upcoming year, what are some things that you feel from the Lord that hey, I might need to leave this behind, and how much of that could you share?
SPEAKER_05:Oh, yeah. So we are all a work in progress, and I like to look back at rhythms, right? And so I realized and actually talked about this with some of the other staff ladies, I caught myself getting very bitter and for no reason, right? There's there's absolutely no reason for me to get bitter, and and I realized like it was a slow burn, and so really figuring out like why I allowed that to creep in, and then honestly, just checking myself and just making sure I leave all of that behind because that can't come to where God's leading me. Yeah, and which is really funny because you know, I am full of joy, I'm happy all the time and stuff like that, but I'm also a real human being, and you know, I have real emotions, and I caught myself getting bitter, whether it be towards my husband or towards the kids, or you know, honestly being like people here that and it was just like that's there's no room for that anymore. And so for me, that's that's the big, the big one that's gonna be left behind.
SPEAKER_03:I appreciate the honesty on that.
SPEAKER_06:Gosh, I think for me, I am an Enneagram one. So I can sometimes like just get in this self-critical world. And I love how how Emily said, like number one, it's perspective. Number two, it's it's being self, and now I can't think of the word, like assessing. Self-aware self-aware, yes. So sometimes I can stick to the critical, like, oh, that didn't work, and not the why, and like shift your perspective, like what could have been done differently, or or why did that not work? Or, you know, so maybe not so self-critical and and more self-aware would be, you know, I think that that's what I've been thinking that we're gonna do.
SPEAKER_03:Come on, man.
SPEAKER_06:And it just all comes down to perspective, you know, and and I just love that just a shift in perspective can change everything.
SPEAKER_01:So good, Tim. I appreciate the honesty on that, the vulnerability.
SPEAKER_00:Um, it's good. I I don't remember what we said last week, but one of the things that I know I'm praying through, and as we're ending the year, you know, one of the big things we're we're going through as a team right now is we're about to open up our our third campus in Clarksville. Right. And so we're excited about that, our tiny town campus. And so this Christmas weekend, which for us is the 21st, where it's our official like doors open. Doors open like to the public. And then uh, and then we have our official launch in January when we do all these fun stuff. But so we've been prepping for this weekend for for so many months now, and the team's been working hard. I know I've been bouncing around between the two campuses here, and on top of that, you're still a dad, you're still a husband, you know, you're still a son. And so, like, it's it's exhausting. Yeah, there's a there's a lot. This Christmas has felt a little different, and so if there's anything I'm learning is is just uh going back to what you mentioned earlier, Emily, a lot of the topics of this podcast is rest and the rhythms of rest. And so there's both physical tiredness, and then there's the mental and spiritual, and I am grateful for such a great community of leaders and and and staff and just the people that God's put around around me, my my my wife, she's incredible. Our children, we have amazing kids, and mentally I've been able to rest and regardless of the physical tiredness. And so, one of the things that all this to say this, one of the things that I've done the last few weeks is I've got into puzzles. I've been building puzzles, like it's weird. Me and my daughter, and so right now I'm I'm finishing a Spider-Man puzzle, nice, but it's a 3D model, it's a 3D puzzle, so like you look at it from one angle and then like it changes, and so like you never know what pieces were. So it's been it's been hard, but it's it's helped me mentally just kind of detach from everything, yeah. Like if I pick up a camera, which I love, like I love photography, it it somehow it turns into work or church right now. If I pick up my guitar, I get on the piano right now in this season, it turns into work or something, like because I'll get inspired, I want to create something for a team, or it's so I'm learning like to to recognize what are the things that I have to put down as much as I love them because it's gonna turn into something that's gonna actually drain me. And so a puzzle has nothing to do with unless all of a sudden like it starts turning into a sermon. I don't know, but like the puzzle itself has been something that has like been keeping me sane, yeah, just keeping me centered, like I as I'm doing it too, like I'm I'm at rest, and it's in that moment, like, all right, everything's slowing down. I'm looking at all these different pieces, trying to make sense of it, and then it's it's weird, but like I I feel God like just in that stillness, yeah, you know, and so that is refreshing. And so just with the pace of life at this moment, like that's something, and I say all that because next year's not gonna get any slower, right? With the new campus and you know, and the things we're doing at new in New York at our Bay Shore campus, things will continue to go in, and and we know God still wants to continue to expand his kingdom, so God knows only God knows what's next. And we're starting a Spanish service that you know, which is amazing. And so I my wife and I will be leading that, the service, and so that I don't even know what that's gonna feel like the weight of that alone, yes, and so again, stepping into new territories, picking up new new methods of just kind of finding God, and if it's a puzzle for now, then you know it's been awesome.
SPEAKER_05:Yeah, do y'all have anything? I so I have a thing that like so I like to embroidery, like you know, like the with the ring, and then you do the the pretty things, yeah. Because I can just sit yeah, just like the puzzle and just focus on sticking the needle in, pulling the needle out, sticking the needle in, pulling, you know, and then making something. Do y'all have something that y'all do?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, for me it's cooking.
SPEAKER_05:Yeah.
SPEAKER_01:First of all, prove it.
SPEAKER_00:Hey, come on now. This is think on mac and cheese. Come on, somebody.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, he he throws it down.
SPEAKER_00:Oh, the cornbread.
SPEAKER_01:The cornbread and my love. And I my most recent concoction was the sweet potato honey bun cake I did at the last all team. That was a big hit. That was good. But yeah, I love cooking. And to your point, the reason why is because there is no pressure for me to get better at it. Now, that doesn't mean I don't want I want to cook bad food, but I'm not, you know, like I'm not in competition, and like there's no in state, there's no end goal, and it's not gonna, you know, it's not connected to work. Like I'm not, you know, the the staff chef here, although I'd be I'd be open to it. I'm saying I'd be open to it. Attitude job description.
SPEAKER_05:I mean no one would would would bat an eye.
SPEAKER_01:Right.
SPEAKER_05:We would all be okay.
SPEAKER_01:So I I love that because it truly is relaxing. Pastor Mike said something to me years ago. He said, when you have a job where you are primarily with your mind, you need to relax with your hands. So like one like one time he was in the leather working and he he had made the statements like I love it because it's you know, there's I'm not trying to be the best at it, I'm not trying to be some artisan, but it's just good. It's just you know, it helps me process. And so that's what I love, I love to cook. And and the more complex the dish, the better, because I just lose myself in it. But then there is there, it's funny because it it does feel like worship because especially like with baking, you're putting all these ingredients together, and you're like, man, I am I is this gonna look right? Is this gonna, you know, is this gonna taste right? Is this you know, is this gonna look like the picture, you know? And then you let it bake and then it comes out and it's just and it's beautiful. And and I just I don't know, it's worshipful. I just sense the Lord like God, that's what you've done in my life. Things that you have led me into, seasons, I'm like, God, what? What are you doing? Or things that happen that I thought shouldn't happen or would, you know, and then God's like, hey man, allow this, allow those things to congeal and they get to know each other. I'm I'm there's a process, and on the backside of it's gonna be something beautiful, and it's gonna be a benefit for other people as well. Yeah. So I love I love to cook.
SPEAKER_00:I think that's what the reason I love the puzzle, it's because it whatever I do music and photography, like there's this, not I'm not a perfectionist, but like I want to do things well. Yes, right, and that's just me. And then but with the puzzle, it's I can't do any better than come other than completing it.
SPEAKER_03:Yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_00:And so the art is already done. Right. It's already cut for me. So I just gotta put it together. Yeah. And so that my in the sense that mindless, you know, strategic still working, like it, I don't know, it's been peasing. But when you said that, I'm like, yeah, like you're not trying to compete. No, I'm not.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, yeah. Yeah, like you said, there's no puzzle making competition, puzzle doing competition you're in. You know? Come on, Tim, what about you?
SPEAKER_06:Gosh, mine's changed. It used to be crafts, like I used to love to just craft, you know, glitter and stuff. Yeah. And then that kind of became part of my work. And then it was puzzles.
SPEAKER_00:Yes.
SPEAKER_06:Then we had this one puzzle that no longer brought me joy. It was like mostly black. Like it was hard to find the pieces, all of them were different. Like, I could not finish this puzzle.
SPEAKER_00:Did you buy it?
SPEAKER_06:Did I buy the puzzle? Yeah.
SPEAKER_00:Oh, so you brought it upon yourself. Yeah.
SPEAKER_06:It looked beautiful. It looked beautiful. Like it was really had flowers, but like when you started doing the puzzle, you were like, this is not a good puzzle. It was not mine. Like it so puzzles are out. But what I really like to do, which is silly, is like organize things. Like if I find myself getting stressed out, if areas of I guess it's a control thing. Like if I can't control one area of my life, I'm gonna find something to like make it cute. Okay. Organized.
SPEAKER_01:Oh you get your Pinterest on. Your Pinterest. Yeah, no, that that's yeah, you get your you go, you go Pinteresting.
SPEAKER_06:I just I love like the visual. Like it's just so pretty and like organized.
SPEAKER_01:And like you and you sense the Lord's with you in that.
SPEAKER_06:I do.
SPEAKER_01:Because he's making he's he's taking that thing, he's making all things new, and he's working things together for your good.
SPEAKER_06:It's so fun.
SPEAKER_01:Organizing. Man.
SPEAKER_06:To each their own.
SPEAKER_01:Hey.
SPEAKER_00:There's a company called Closet Boxes. Closet Boxes. One of our sponsors.
SPEAKER_05:No.
SPEAKER_00:Okay. Closet Box. Tiffany, Tiffany. Tiffany.
SPEAKER_05:He. But no, speaking of the last sponsor. Speaking of the last sponsor.
SPEAKER_06:Thanks for getting me out of Closet Boxes.
SPEAKER_05:You're welcome.
SPEAKER_03:The same one.
SPEAKER_06:Dang it. I'm fired at this job. I'm so fired. But that would have also been funny if it was the same one twice.
SPEAKER_01:This episode, this segment of the Worship and Leadership Podcast has been brought to you by PrayPal. Pray your own way. Jesus paid it then so that you can pray now. Have you ever found yourself in a prayer deficit? Do you feel like uh the bank account of your prayer request is running low? Have you ever said to yourself, man, I wish there was an effective way to get my prayers to God? May I tell you today about PreyPal? And here to talk about one of their experiences is Elmer Catanias Jr. Elmer, how has PreyPal been a blessing to you?
SPEAKER_00:Well, since I started subscribing to PreyPal, my prayer life has changed. Yeah. I used to find myself without words. And now I get a daily email with several different words that I can use to pray with. Come on. And it brings, it has a daily scripture. That's it. And so that is so encouraging. And I didn't think I could do it on my own, but PrayPal has helped me. And now I feel like my prayer life has grown. I feel closer to Jesus.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah. And listen, let me tell you so we have three uh different uh tier packages. And our most we have we have the basic package, which gives you uh a daily email uh with about three to five scriptures to pray and one prayer prompt. We have our silver package, uh, we get which gives you a daily email and a video vlog post from one of our preeminent prayer partners. We call it Jesus Little Sister, Miss Sonia Vic. And uh that also includes a prayer cloth. And then we have our gold kingdom package. Uh this includes a daily email, the video blog from Jesus Little Sister, Miss Sonia Vic, a prayer cloth, an anointed bottle of water, uh, and also a prayer shawl. Also, it includes a prayer list on how to speak in tongues. So you you'll you also get your own very own prayer language. So you'll it includes words and phrases like Hika Mashaka, uh, kolamanda santo, e-g-e-el il, and the like. So can I invite you today if you're struggling in your prayer life? Give prayer pal a try.
SPEAKER_06:Do you turn it up or down?
SPEAKER_00:Like to get you you weren't counting on these turning into infomercials.
SPEAKER_06:No, but that's amazing. I took a little nap.
SPEAKER_05:She's like, it's okay. I just took a little nap. I'm awake now.
SPEAKER_00:I am like for those of you rejoining the podcast right now after you skipped through our commercials. Dang it. I don't think we can get sponsors if people turn it off during the commercial.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, that's the thing. They have to keep watching for the sponsors. Like, that's the point. Like they they have, we have to say that they're the ones paying the bills.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, they're paying the bills. But these are made up actually. Yeah, by the way.
SPEAKER_06:For those of you listening, by the way, we do not have prayer.
SPEAKER_00:We don't have prayer. We don't. We don't. No, and we don't have a way to get you your own prayer language. We don't. You gotta ask off. You gotta ask someone else for that.
SPEAKER_01:Um disclaimer. Your socks, your socks are probably already unimpressive as they are. So after you wash them, after you wash them, they're like they're already unimpressive. Yeah, they're unimpressive.
SPEAKER_06:I have some pretty fun socks. I do too.
SPEAKER_01:They may be fun, but they're unimpressive. They probably smell after what after a while, they smell like feet. They're not fun. They're or you can wash them. Oh yeah, you can wash them. You can wash them all you want, but they're still unimpressive.
SPEAKER_05:Our next sponsor, Tide.
SPEAKER_00:Man, okay. So let's let's let's let's kind of turn and let's try to end this episode.
SPEAKER_03:Yeah, yeah. Try.
SPEAKER_00:Let's try. One word that you can share with everyone on the podcast. Just one word and then expound on it that will encourage them. Again, this is the worship and leadership podcast that will encourage them in their life of worship and obedience to unto the Lord, that will encourage them as leaders. We're I believe we're all leaders in our spaces. Obviously, everyone leads in a different capacity. And so just what I'm talking a lot to give you a moment to think, but what is one word, maybe literally, or like a word of encouragement that we can share with our audience? And I'll go last. So we'll start with Willie. Start with me. Okay.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah. Finish strong. That's two words. But you said a word of encouragement. I was gonna give one word. And then you gave me the out when you said a word of encouragement. I was like, cool, cool. I'm a preacher. I can only I can I'm gonna use more than one word, my God. Finish strong. I think that is what separates great leaders from average leaders. And I think it's what celebr what it separates uh healthy people from unhealthy people. Just finish strong. You know, I've had the privilege of being able to achieve a few milestones this year personally and professionally. You know, I lost almost 70 pounds, so I thank God for that. And I feel amazing. I've got some ordination or some licensing happening, you know, with our fellowship. I'm in school, I finished my first semester in seminary, and and so just finish drawing. There's something as a leader about God giving you a vision, God giving you a hope, a dream, and you started working toward it, and somewhere along the way, you got discouraged, you got distracted, you got disgruntled, and you allowed other things to creep in. And can I just encourage you just to finish? God gave you that dream, He gave you that assignment, He gave you that calling. And the Bible says his gifts and callings are without repentance. So reignite and re-engage. If there, if you need to have a conversation with the Lord or with a mentor or a pastor or a friend, have them examine your life and and and ask them, hey, what where do you think I went off the rails? When did you see when did you notice that I beg that I I got distracted, that I got off assignment? And let them speak into that. Ask the Lord, let them speak into it that, hey, it was this, it was that, and then remove those things out of your life so you can finish what God has called you to do. That's good. Finish strong. Let's go.
SPEAKER_06:Yeah, that's good. I've already said my word, but I'll say it again. It's perspective. Perspective. It's everything you do. Are you doing it out of your own strength? Are you doing it through the Lord's strength? Are you letting him work through you? Just that umbrella, like he should be over everything. And just how are you looking at things? You know, how how are you seeing things? Are you taking every thought captive? Because that's important. Yeah. Because the enemy can creep in your thoughts really quickly and and have you spiral in somewhere you are not supposed to be. So are you taking every thought captive and and just the perspective of that? So I just think just a shift of perspective can just change so many things, even in the way you see people. You know, you can you can use it on yourself, but but people are going through things and people are people. So are you looking at people through that perspective or are you holding them to a standard, you know, that's not realistic. So just I think how you're looking at things and how you're looking at people and circumstances in life in general is just very important, and just praying to God for that perspective.
SPEAKER_01:That's good. That's really good.
SPEAKER_05:That's good.
SPEAKER_01:Come on.
SPEAKER_05:Mine would probably be like stand firm. And because my husband and I we're looking and praying about some cool new things coming up, and it just over and over and over again, God is reminding me, hey, you have to stand firm on me. Like, like we're gonna stand on it, like and not not move. And so if you do that, no matter which way that it that life can go, if you're truly standing on Christ and what in in him and in him being your foundation and your faith driving it through him, you can't go wrong. Like it is impossible to go wrong. And so mine would be just stand firm.
SPEAKER_00:That's good. I love that. That's awesome. For me, it would be the word communication. I think just literally that's it. That's it.
SPEAKER_06:You're not gonna communicate anything about communication.
SPEAKER_00:I will, I will. I think as leaders, as parents, as you know, if you're married with your spouse, just uh communication is the thing that makes you makes you or breaks you. I I've shared on the podcast that I I didn't go to counseling until my mid-30s. And before that, I used to express myself on paper. Like I was, I would, I would write, and that's how I developed songwriting because I would write and write and write. I thought I was communicating, but nobody other than my notepad knew what I was feeling. And so I had to learn to communicate. And then just over the years, that's changed. It's it's it's impacted my marriage, just in how I communicate with my with my wife. Sometimes I talk too much now, and uh she's like, all right, you done talking and I want to go to bed, you know, things like that. But communication helps not just in marriage, but in leadership and leading others, and not always not always does it benefit you just in leading people, but in being led. Right. Uh a lot of of a lot of us are desiring things from our leaders, or we want to grow in other areas, or we don't feel the permission to do things. Uh we have dreams, but we feel like I can't, because now I might be out of bounds with what my place of employment might want. There's a lot of things happening here and here in our mind. And if we're not communicating them to the right people, then we feel stifled. We feel like there's we we might lose a sense of purpose. Yeah, you know, and and and so I I just feel commun be communicate communication, be honest with people, share your dreams. I would say pray with who you're gonna share your dreams with. You might end up in a pit like Joseph, yeah, you know, in the Bible. Come on. And so not everything's meant to be shared with everyone. So be mindful of who you're communicating communicating with. If if the internet, the world wide web has taught us anything, is that some people are overcommunicating and they're sharing their opinions a little too much. Right, you know, and so and even in the spiritual sense, like God will give you a revelation of his words, and people go to Instagram or Facebook, oh, and here's a sermon, you know, and you've only heard it from you know scripture like five minutes ago, and now all of a sudden you're expert and you're sharing it with the world. Right, like like just sit on some things before you communicate. Right. But you know, so there's the I just think it goes so many directions, but at the end of the day, like communicate. It's only gonna make you better as you go into next year. I know for me that's something I'm working on. How do I communicate better, not just at home, not just in my personal space, but at work, yes, with our with our team. Again, as we're growing and all these different, you know, teams in different locations. Like, it's the only way we're gonna make it through is just communicating, just maintaining our vision, mission, and and and protecting our culture. So yeah, that's good, man. That's good work there, Brendan.
SPEAKER_06:Yo, this was fun.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, this is awesome.
SPEAKER_06:This was fun. It's like you don't want it to be over.
SPEAKER_02:And we go to the end. You want it again? And I can't let go inside.
SPEAKER_00:There you go. I've never used this effect right here. I belong to the ad. I can so natural. No, it's not working. Well, what effect is it supposed to be? I was trying to microphone pitch up your phone.
SPEAKER_01:Uh oh, man, maybe some album and chipmunk. Yeah.
SPEAKER_02:Oh, I hear it. It's on your can you put it on mine?
SPEAKER_01:I guess no. Keep it on Emily's, put it on mine.
SPEAKER_02:I don't think I can.
SPEAKER_01:Come on. I want to get my preacher on as Alvin as Reverend Dr. Alvin C. Chipmunk. Come on, somebody. Come on. You're you're a robot.
SPEAKER_00:All right, now you're in Emily. Now you're in Emily. Dang it. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_05:Back to normal. Oh my gosh.
SPEAKER_00:Hey, we just want to thank you guys again. It's been a great year, a great season on the podcast. We're coming to the end of 2025. And so we love you guys. We've been blessed being able to share our hearts and gathering at this table. God bless you. We love you. And until next time, peace out. Peace out. Hey, do the sound. Do the sound.
SPEAKER_03:No, the other one.
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