Men's Leadership Network Podcast

This month, Pastor Jeff Simmons has a timely and challenging conversation with Pastor Wayne McCullough from Limestone Baptist Church in Franklin, TN, about race, racism, reconciliation, and the Gospel. Pastor Wayne was born and raised in Franklin. His mother was a believer and raised him to love and trust the Lord. Pastor Wayne grew up in Franklin when the city was still largely segregated but attended high school at the very beginning of desegregation. He’s a graduate of Tennessee State University and has dual degrees in Accounting and Business Administration. Pastor Wayne retired from Kroger as District Manager with 38 years of service. While at Kroger, he held several positions in Human Resources, Operations, and Merchandising. It wasn't until October of 2000 that he began pastoring Limestone Baptist Church. In the podcast, Pastor Wayne shares his experience of growing up in a segregated community and the transition to a desegregated high school. He addresses that what we are taught affects how we experience life and how we treat others of different races; however, we all have to make a choice about how we will treat those who are different from us. The Gospel must shape our understanding of race and should lead us to see and call racism what it is at its root. Because racism at any level is a sin, to hold hatred in our hearts towards anyone created in God’s image is a sin. Pastor Wayne also speaks to our current political climate and gives a handful of practical steps for every Christian. This conversation will encourage you, challenge you, and call you to faithfulness and obedience to God’s Word as we live in the time God has given us and as we learn what it means to love God and love others. Next Steps 1. Are there sinful attitudes or actions that God has exposed in your heart that he is calling you to confess and repent of? 2. For those who have placed their faith in Christ, what does it mean that, before anything else, our identity and our title is Christian? Not husband, dad, banker, mechanic, student, Democrat or Republican, but Christian – a child of God, a follower of Christ, saved by grace. How would this bring real change to the racial tension in our culture today?

Kicking off 2021, Pastor Jeff Simmons sits down with Austin Casselman for a challenging and encouraging conversation about the essentials for starting something new, as well as the importance of finishing things we have started in 2021. Austin is a husband and a father of three kids. He is an entrepreneur, CEO, and founder of “Implement Now,” an organization that partners with entrepreneurs and leading brands to manufacture their mission, helping them efficiently and effectively manage manufacturing and supply chains that are critical to their business’ success. Austin is also the co-founder and CEO of “Catching Deers,” an apparel brand inspired by the hunt camp and built for a hunter’s lifestyle. If you have not already, do yourself a favor and check out their funny videos page on the Catching Deers website! While the main focus of the conversation is the essentials for starting something new and the importance of finishing things we have started in 2021, there is so much more for men to be challenged by as Austin shares the details of his personal journey of losing everything, watching his parents come to faith in Jesus, and experiencing the Lord’s provision. You can’t help but be challenged and encouraged when Austin shares his passion for men to lock arms with other men to study God’s Word and hold each other accountable. Reflection 1. As you reflect on Austin’s story, how has God used tough circumstances in your life to draw you to himself and grow your trust in him? 2. Looking at 2021, how does Austin’s story challenge you when it comes to starting or finishing something this year? Do us a favor! -Share this podcast with a family member, friend, co-worker, or neighbor. -Follow MLN on Instagram for weekly content and updates.

This month, we have a special treat as Rolling Hills’ very own Nashville Campus Pastor Nic Allen, Nolensville Campus Pastor Jason Hale, and Family Pastor Chase Baker join Pastor Jeff for a fun and incredibly helpful conversation about how we can prepare for and lead through a Christmas like no other. In the podcast, we discuss how during this Christmas season we can recognize, embrace, and even celebrate the obvious things that will be different this Christmas. Each of the members of the panel challenge us to evaluate our attitudes about Christmas during a pandemic. They share practical ways to intentionally engage our families. They encourage us to seize this unique Christmas as a special blessing for our own relationship with Jesus to grow, as well as an opportunity to establish new traditions that may be more meaningful than the frantic Christmas seasons of the past. And, they remind us that, while many things are different, the foundational truths have not changed. It all may feel different but Joy, Peace, Hope, and Love that were ushered into our world with the coming of Jesus has not changed at all! Next Steps 1. What Christmas traditions are you going to have to alter this year? 2. How can we use the additional calendar space we have this year to do something meaningful and generous that the frantic schedule of the past would not allow?

Former professional golfer Danny Briggs joins Pastor Jeff to discuss leading in faith and marriage in the midst of an ever-changing work schedule. In today’s podcast interview, Danny talks about his time on the PGA tour, his legacy as a husband and father, and using his passion to give back to others. Ever since he was ten years old, Danny has loved golf. He describes it as an immediate passion, and as he got older he used it to travel the world. In this interview, Danny describes all the professional golfers who’ve mentored him along the way, as well as how golf became an opportunity for fellowship with others. One of the biggest influences on Danny’s faith has been his parents. Though he discovered golf through his father, he explains that his parents instilled him a Christian foundation at an early age. He remained involved with Christian organizations throughout college and later in life when he married his wife, Kim. Danny discusses how his 20 years on the PGA Tour had a considerable impact on his marriage and family, but it wasn’t until he retired and spent more time at home. As he describes it, he and Kim had to “fall in love again” and struggled to live together for the first time. Despite this, Danny expresses gratitude for his family and emphasizes how he had to learn to put God first in his relationship with his loved ones in order that his marriage could be better than ever. Though Danny has many stories about life on the Tour to tell, he makes clear that his transition from single life as a young golfer to a father has kept him humble. This is most evidently seen in the way he’s given back to the game of golf, working with the Tennessee Golf Foundation, a nonprofit organization that works to teach golf and life values to youth and the disadvantaged. Danny’s belief in the core values of joy and fellowship that golf instills in each player is what led him to joining the TGF. He’s passionate about introducing the game to people young and old and is always happy to join newcomers interested in a day out on the greens. Next Steps How are you using your passion to reach others for Christ? How could you bring people to know Christ in your own way? What are some ways you’re pursuing your career right now may be sacrificing too much of your family? How are you balancing your career and your marriage? What are the core values you’ve learned through your career that you believe in? How can you teach those values to others?

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and businessman Charles Overby joins Pastor Jeff to discuss the upcoming presidential election and the role Christians have to play in the country’s political discourse. In this conversation, Charles analyzes recent political trends, defines personal factors that matter most when voting, and provides a historical perspective to remind us what’s most important. Charles' break into politics started through journalism. Whether he was a reporter, editor, corporate executive, or the head of a non-profit foundation, his love for being an observer brought him into close proximity with many politicians and public servants. While he explains that most politicians care about their constituents and sacrifice much to serve, he also maintains that Washington, D.C. is a hub for power that people naturally gravitate towards. In fact, he emphasizes that the ability to come to terms with that power requires maintaining a Christian perspective. In this interview, Charles discusses the question of how involved Christians should be in politics. He explains that the answer isn’t avoiding politics all together nor becoming too involved, but, rather, somewhere in between. Citing Philippians 3:20, Charles believes we have a responsibility to participate in democracy, but we can’t forget where our primary citizenship lies. He also believes that though the office of President isn’t a position ordained by God in His Kingdom, He can still use our leaders for His good, and He is sovereign even through the most divisive elections. This gives us an even greater reason to pray for our leaders and those running for office rather than just talking about them. Though evaluating how to get involved in politics can be a difficult task, Charles explains that praying for and figuring out what to look for in a candidate is the first step. For him, he looks for wisdom, discernment, and self-control in each person running for office. He maintains that through this criteria the best candidate may not necessarily be a Christian, but God can still use them for His Kingdom. Perhaps most importantly, Charles emphasizes the importance of how we should live as Christians in regard to our political “enemies.” We should live in such a way that our beliefs are seen by others, speaking with humility and not confusing our political convictions for our Christian convictions. As men, we should also be looking to share this moment in history with our children, teaching them how we make choices, how others make choices, and the privilege to have a choice in this country. Next Steps What are ways you can get involved in politics as a witness to others who might disagree with you? What criteria of distinguishing characteristics could you develop and look for when voting for a political candidate? How can you share this presidential election with your children or grandchildren as a history lesson? What could they learn from this point in history?

LifeWay Christian Resources President and CEO, Dr. Ben Mandrell, joins Pastor Jeff to discuss how to lead as men in a culture that is constantly changing. In today’s new podcast interview, Ben explains how to handle change, how to stay spiritually grounded when making decisions, and why the idea of change is such a difficult subject for men to tackle. As someone who has had to face a great amount of change in his own life, Ben’s latest calling came in the form of taking over LifeWay Christian Resources in 2019 and leaving the church he planted in Denver, CO. It’s this transition to a different part of the country and a different part of vocational ministry that led him to a new way of thinking about change. In this interview, Ben discusses how change always involves grief. He also explains how this sense of grief is wrapped up in our identity and provides practical ways to become untethered from the culture’s concept of work and identity. Though Ben was saved at a young age, he admits his call into vocational ministry was very unexpected and that a significant degree of uncertainty is necessary if we want to truly live by faith in what God is calling us to. This includes being honest with what we’re driving towards and being willing to fail. He also emphasizes the importance – and complications – of going back to the basics of the spiritual practices. We find ourselves drifting from God when we sacrifice quiet time, reading the Word, confession to other believers, and prayer in order to spend more time in our work. More than any other advice in handling change, Ben highlights the significance of building authentic relationships that are deeper than just your job. Pursuing relational depth with God and relational intimacy with other men are the key to pursuing God in the midst of change rather than pursuing idols such as pleasure, projects, and professional achievement. Whether we realize it or not, building genuine relationships are necessary to handle the emotional weight change can bring, whether that be a change in vocation, location, or life circumstance. Next Steps 1. Where are you pursuing genuine relationships with other men outside of work? Where are opportunities to invite others into your life rather than a location? 2. When’s the last time you stepped out in faith to what God’s calling you to? What significantly uncertain decision could you prayerfully make today? 3. What’s an area of your life you need to assess for idols you’re driving towards? What changes need to be made in response to that assessment?

The Practices of a Godly Leader A MLN Interview with Jacob Scrimpshire, Rolling Hills Community Church Discipleship Pastor What does it truly mean to be a godly leader and how are you growing to become a stronger leader? Jacob Scrimpshire, our Discipleship Pastor, joins Pastor Jeff to tackle the answer to this very question in today’s new podcast interview. As a husband, a father of a household of boys, and a pastor overseeing discipleship, Jacob has had to learn what it means to be a godly leader both at home and in the workplace. Though he met Christ at a young age, it wasn’t until his mid-twenties that he came face-to-face with the reality that he had been carrying the weight of his sin for the entirety of his life instead of giving it fully to Jesus. From that point on, his life was deeply changed, and it was then that he felt the call to vocational ministry. This call eventually led him to his current role as the Discipleship Pastor at Rolling Hills. In this interview, Jacob explains what discipleship really means and how discipleship can impact the lives of men. Along with this, he shares his experience of being poured into and discipled as he grew in his faith, and he emphasizes the importance of these in any man’s life as he is developing in his faith, in marriage, in fatherhood, and in manhood. Daily actions of obedience, like reading the Bible, spending time talking with Jesus, and memorizing Scripture, make a difference in helping you become the man that God designed you to be. Jacob highlights that these practical steps can make a major difference in your personal health and growth, as well as the spiritual health and growth of your family. Your leadership directly impacts the legacy you leave behind for your family and those who come after you. Next Steps Do you have specific men in your life to disciple you and be godly mentors to you? If not, who could be that person in your life? What is a specific practice in your life that you can implement to help you grow in your faith in Christ? Choose one practice or action step that you can begin to focus on this week. What is the legacy that you want to leave behind? Think through and write down what that really means to you.

Former NHL player, Mike Fisher, joins Jeff to talk about how his life has looked different since the last time he was on our Men’s Leadership Network four years ago. As the former captain of the Nashville Predators, Mike Fisher learned what it meant to lead others who were looking up to him, whether that was on or off the ice. When facing adversity, Mike emphasizes just how important it was to be a leader and keep your faith in God strong even when tough situations come your way.  After re-committing his life to Christ when he was 23 years old, Mike began to live for the Lord, and he touches on how difficult it was at times to stay true to his faith in the midst of being in a professional sports team environment. It was through the help of some older, wiser Christian men that he was able to learn how to speak out about his faith while also knowing that he wouldn't be able to do everything perfectly. Your story matters, and it’s important to share about what God has done in your life. You may never know who will be able to resonate with your story, and Mike discusses how he saw, firsthand, that telling your story can make a strong impact in the lives of those who hear it. Now being married for over 10 years, Mike also highlights how God has worked in his marriage, especially in him learning what it looks like to love your wife like Christ loves the church. Sometimes, Mike emphasizes, the best thing you can do for your marriage is lower your expectations and increase the amount of grace that you show to your spouse. Being a dad is another area of life where leadership is necessary. As a father of two boys, Mike has had to learn, at times, that our children have some lessons to teach us. Along with that, we, as dads, need to be pointing our children to Jesus, not just through discipline but in all areas of life. The insight that Mike shares in this interview can apply to men in any walk of life, and he has gleaned much wisdom about leadership through his life experiences. After listening to Mike's interview, we have some next steps to challenge you on how to be a leader in your circle of influence. Next Steps: 1. Who in your life can you share your story with? If someone doesn’t immediately come to mind, how can you be praying that God can open the door to a conversation where you can share what God has done in your life? 2. Do you really view leadership as a means of serving others? In what ways can you change your leadership habits to make leading others more about them than you? 3. What are some daily actions steps that you can take to show your children their need for God?

Our guest this month for the Men’s Leadership Network podcast is an incredible man. Darrell Nelson is married to Connia, and they live in Franklin, TN. They have one daughter and two grandsons. Together, they light up every room that they enter, but when Darrell enters the room, he brings much more than just joy. He also brings a great deal of life experience and Godly wisdom, and the wisdoms he brings is exactly the type of wisdom we need at this moment in our culture. In the podcast, Darrell shares his experience as a black man who grew up in a strict military family and lived in 26 places by the time he was 24 years old. He tells us about a very personal encounter with a police officer when he was a teenager that caused him to choose law enforcement as his career. He shares, with great emotion, the realities of systemic racism and its effects on young black men today. He also tells the moving stories of individuals that took interest in him and how it made a lasting impact on his life. Beyond these gripping stories, he gives us, as men and leaders today, a tangible step that we can all take to start the healing process we desperately need night now in our country.

Dr. Brad Dennis, Interim Chief, Division of Trauma and Surgical Critical Care at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, talks about leading wisely through Covid-19. As cities and municipalities begin to reopen, Dr. Dennis shares ways you can protect yourself, your family and others, dispels myths about the virus, and gives us a glimpse of what a future after Covid-19 could look like.