The LeadingSmart Podcast
Honest conversations. Practical insights. Smarter leadership.
Hosted by Tim Stevens and Holly Tate, The LeadingSmart Podcast exists to equip church leaders who care deeply about leading with integrity, clarity, and wisdom—even when it’s hard.
In Season One, we’re diving into a topic most churches avoid until it’s too late: pastoral succession. Over 10 episodes, we’ll pull back the curtain on one of the most critical and complex leadership conversations in the Church today.
Whether you’re a senior pastor beginning to ask “what’s next?”, a board member trying to plan for the future, or a staff leader walking through change, this season will give you the tools, language, and courage to navigate succession well.
Here’s what you can expect each week:
Insight from decades of experience helping churches through transition
Honest stories from the frontlines
Tangible takeaways you can apply with your team, board, or congregation
And of course…our weekly Rants & Raves on everything from leadership to soft pants 😄
Because the truth is: Succession isn’t a moment. It’s a mindset. And it starts long before you think you’re ready.
#LeadingSmartPodcast, #ChurchLeadership, #SuccessionPlanning, #LeadershipDevelopment, #ExecutivePastor, #LeadershipTools, #MinistryCoaching, #LeadershipPodcast
The LeadingSmart Podcast
35 Years of Marriage in Ministry: Real Talk About Tough Transitions & Building Unity with Faith Stevens
Welcome back to Episode 2 of The LeadingSmart Podcast! Tim's wife, Faith shares the raw reality of 35 years of marriage while serving in ministry. From their first meeting at Bible camp to navigating four major life transitions, they reveal the struggles and victories that shaped their relationship.
Key Topics Covered:
• How they met and the "knight in shining armor" rejection story
• Why their move to Granger Community Church was their hardest transition
• The brutal reality of Faith's identity crisis during their Texas years
• Managing introvert/extrovert dynamics in marriage and ministry
• Parenting 4 kids in the pastor's home (ages 24-32)
• Communication strategies for major life decisions
• Protecting your family from ministry pressures
Golden Nuggets:
✓ "Say yes as often as you can" - their #1 parenting principle
✓ Why you should never talk about your kids in sermons after age 5
✓ How to make unified decisions when personalities clash
✓ The importance of finding your identity outside your spouse's ministry role
Honest Moments:
- Faith's 2-year struggle with belonging in Texas
- The "two of us against the world" feeling during denominational changes
- Why Tim reaches out for social plans now (spoiler: it's about energy management)
- The most spontaneous thing they've done in 35 years
Perfect for: • Ministry couples navigating transitions • Anyone struggling with major life changes • Parents balancing family and calling • Couples working through personality differences • Leaders considering ministry moves
Bonus: Watch them play the "Still Newlyweds" game at the end!
Time Stamps
00:00 Facing Opposition: A New Ministry Path
00:29 Welcome to the Leading Smart Podcast
00:40 Meet Faith Stevens: The Better Half
01:02 35 Years of Marriage: A Journey Together
01:34 How Tim and Faith Met: A Love Story
02:59 Early Years: From Friendship to Marriage
05:09 Navigating Life's Challenges Together
12:26 Significant Moves and Ministry Transitions
13:19 The Hardest Move: Leaving Life Action
15:55 Adjusting to Texas: The Toughest Years
22:04 Moving Back to Chicago: A New Chapter
25:27 Communication and Unity in Marriage
30:25 Navigating Emotional Conversations
31:29 Balancing Introverted and Extroverted Personalities
37:44 Parenting While Pastoring
45:23 Challenges and Rewards in Ministry
56:55 The Newlywed Game
#MarriageInMinistry #MinistryLife #LeadershipPodcast #ChurchLeadership #MarriageAdvice #PastorsWife #MinistryTransitions #ChristianLeadership #RelationshipGoals #LeadingSmart
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