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Free Resource: Download the “8 Traps That Kill Your Spaciousness” ebook:
👉 https://www.emotionallyhealthy.org/spaciousness
Churches don’t just have problems.
They are emotional systems.
In this episode of the Emotionally Healthy Leader Podcast, I introduce one of the most powerful frameworks I’ve ever learned for understanding leadership, conflict, and why anxiety spreads so quickly in churches: Family Systems Theory.
Much of this work comes from psychiatrist Murray Bowen and was later brought into church leadership by Edwin Friedman in Generation to Generation. But don’t worry — we’ll keep this practical, spiritual, and grounded in real ministry life.
If you’ve ever:
Walked into a meeting calm and left reactive
Worked harder at someone’s growth than they are
Watched conflict spread like electricity through your church
You’re not crazy. You’re leading inside an emotional system.
The greatest gift you will ever give your church is not better strategy.
It’s your own inner transformation.
Emotional health isn’t a side issue.
It’s leadership.
Listen in.
Learn more about our School of Emotionally Healthy Leadership:
👉 https://www.emotionallyhealthy.org/school
Download the “8 Traps That Kill Your Spaciousness” ebook:
👉 https://www.emotionallyhealthy.org/spaciousness
Emotional health isn’t optional. It’s essential.
2- day conference for pastors and leaders seeking to build emotionally healthy church cultures.
September 30 – October 1, 2026
14th St. Salvation Army, NYC
🗓️ Discover the Sabbath - Download a free e-book to learn the 4 countercultural practices of a biblical Sabbath day. https://www.emotionallyhealthy.org/sabbath/
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Today, pastors and leaders are grappling with burnout, shallowness in discipleship, and a waning passion for God's mission.
On today's episode, I share some insights that have transformed the way I view mission and ministry—insights rooted in Celtic Christian spirituality.
Geri and I just returned from a two-week journey through Ireland, where we had the privilege of meeting with pastors and church leaders in both Belfast and Dublin. This trip refreshed us in so many ways, especially in reconnecting with the powerful legacy of St. Patrick.
I believe that St. Patrick's life and leadership are a map to rekindle the fire of mission that flows from a deep, inner life with God—an "overflowing cup" that sustains outward action. Through Patrick's leadership, the Celtic church rooted themselves in prayer, community, and a mission-focused monastic life. In doing so, they transformed an entire nation.
This is one of the missing keys that I believe will unlock passionate, world-changing mission in every member of our churches.
2- day conference for pastors and leaders seeking to build emotionally healthy church cultures.
September 30 – October 1, 2026
14th St. Salvation Army, NYC
One of the greatest threats to leading with joy is giving into the temptation of overcommitment.
When our lives are crowded, cluttered, and cramped, it is difficult to hear God and live in loving union with Him. The irony is, we can "fit in" regular practices of Sabbath and silence while still being driven by an overscheduled life.
But how do we resist this temptation?
Silence, solitude, and sabbath must become our practices.
AND spaciousness must become our mindset.
In order to live spacious lives, we must avoid the critical traps that keep us settling for an overcommitted life.
- What would it feel like to live with breathing room?
- How would it feel to limit your "Yes" and claim more margin in your schedule?
- What if you could build in time for extended thinking, praying, and being?
On today's podcast, I identify several traps that keep you from the gift of spaciousness and offer wisdom that will help you live with a renewed sense of joy.
2- day conference for pastors and leaders seeking to build emotionally healthy church cultures.
September 30 – October 1, 2026
14th St. Salvation Army, NYC
We must recover the ancient practice Sabbath. It's how we slow down our lives to delight in Jesus, and in doing so, anchor ourselves into eternity.
On today's podcast, I share a message which is the second part of our podcast series on the Sabbath.
2- day conference for pastors and leaders seeking to build emotionally healthy church cultures.
September 30 – October 1, 2026
14th St. Salvation Army, NYC
This is the theme we explore in today's podcast episode. Working from our rest allows our lives to become a sign and wonder pointing to the reality of Jesus.
Want to see how? Listen to the episode now.
2- day conference for pastors and leaders seeking to build emotionally healthy church cultures.
September 30 – October 1, 2026
14th St. Salvation Army, NYC
We were made by God to live within rhythms and limits.
Today's episode is a continuation of an 8-week podcast series in which we explore the seminal work from Emotionally Healthy Spirituality. If you are a pastor, leader, or listener and you want to start the journey toward emotional and spiritual health, this series is a must-listen.
2- day conference for pastors and leaders seeking to build emotionally healthy church cultures.
September 30 – October 1, 2026
14th St. Salvation Army, NYC
The integration of Sabbath delight in the midst of an active, missional life is one of the more subversive, radical and powerful gifts we can offer our people and the world we aim to serve. In this podcast Pete explores a number of related Sabbath applications and tangents and answers a number of common FAQ's.
2- day conference for pastors and leaders seeking to build emotionally healthy church cultures.
September 30 – October 1, 2026
14th St. Salvation Army, NYC
Pete continues his series on The Emotionally Healthy Leader by sharing a sermon on Sabbath. Sabbath is God's foundation for our work. It guards us against the powerful idol of making our work the center of meaning for our lives, protecting us from defining ourselves by our work.
2- day conference for pastors and leaders seeking to build emotionally healthy church cultures.
September 30 – October 1, 2026
14th St. Salvation Army, NYC
Keeping Sabbath is a core spiritual practice – an essential means God uses to slow us down and mature us. In this podcast, Pete expounds on ten core reasons Sabbath is indispensable for those who lead in Jesus' name.
2- day conference for pastors and leaders seeking to build emotionally healthy church cultures.
September 30 – October 1, 2026
14th St. Salvation Army, NYC
Many leaders are overworked, tired, and weighed down with too much to do in too little time. In this podcast, Pete discusses two keys to creative leadership: Sabbath and silence.
2- day conference for pastors and leaders seeking to build emotionally healthy church cultures.
September 30 – October 1, 2026
14th St. Salvation Army, NYC
2- day conference for pastors and leaders seeking to build emotionally healthy church cultures.
September 30 – October 1, 2026
14th St. Salvation Army, NYC
