Author: jsalanwilson

I'm a 60-something teacher and podcaster with a special interest in leaders and leadership. My work involves me in various Bible schools and colleges in Ireland and further afield. Married to Pauline, father, grandfather, and heart-attack survivor.

The Leadership Journey Podcast: John Kyle

Posted on by jsalanwilson in Christian leaders, leadership, Podcast, politics

My guest on this episode of the podcast has been described as ‘the nicest man in politics’. While John Kyle is no longer involved in electoral politics, he has some fascinating things to say about his career (which culminated in him serving as High Sheriff of Belfast) and on the role that Christians can play in civic life – and it was pertinent that we were having this conversation what may turn out to be a(nother) pivotal week in Northern Ireland politics.

As well as his political career John has worked as a GP and has been very involved in church and pastoral work.

Our conversation covers his formative years, including his experience in the fledgling Charismatic movement in Belfast and runs through his time as a GP and on to his time as a member of the Progressive Unionist Party in Belfast. He has a lot to say about the idea of vocation outside of the conventional understanding of church or mission work and he brings encouragement for Christians involved in politics and other areas of civic life: the key is servanthood.

He’s also given some thought to the five things he would say to his twenty-year old self.

The Leadership Journey Podcast: Justin Irving on Organisational Leadership

Posted on by jsalanwilson in authors, books, Christian leaders, Christian leadership, leadership, Podcast

The guest on this episode of the podcast is Justin Irving. Justin is Professor of Leadership at Southern Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky and his new book, Healthy Leadership for Thriving Organizations: Creating Contexts Where People Flourish, is set for publication this month. Previously, along with Mark Strauss, he wrote Leadership in Christian Perspective: Mark Strauss joined me on the podcast four years ago to talk about the book.

Justin’s new book focusses on the work of organisational leaders, what he describes as ‘the thirty-thousand-foot-level of leadership’. Such leaders are still required to pay attention to how they lead individuals, but they also lead at a level that requires them to pay attention to the big picture. Behind the book are insights from a survey that was carried out among over two hundred leaders.

In our conversation we spend some time talking about the book and some of the ideas it covers, but Justin also talks about his own story: how he has been shaped, and what he has learned along the way.

The book’s official launch date is Tuesday 19th December in the US and as a Kindle e-book in the UK: you will have to wait another two months to get your hands on a paper copy here.

That’s all for the podcast for 2023. If you have been following along – or even just dipping in from time to time, thanks for listening, and may you have a wonderful Christmas!

The Leadership Journey Podcast: Paul Williams

Posted on by jsalanwilson in authors, Bible, books, Christian leaders, Podcast

Paul Williams is the Chief Executive of the Bible Society, a charity dedicated to making the message available to everyone. Previously he has worked in business in London and has taught at Regent College in Vancouver, where he is Research Professor of Marketplace Theology and Leadership. He is the executive producer of Reframe, a resource that aims to help Christians see how the gospel reframes all of life.

Paul is also the author of Exiles on Mission: How Christians Can Thrive in a Post-Christian World. The book is the fruit of years of reflection and challenges Christians to engage missionally in the world. The late Tim Keller had this to say about the book:

“This book comes at a most important time, when orthodox Protestant believers in particular are struggling. In some ways it is the age-old problem of how to relate Christianity to culture, but in other ways we are faced with some unique challenges–namely, how to engage not merely a pre-Christian or a non-Christian but a post-Christian society. Williams’s book helps us avoid the twin dangers of being too at home in or too withdrawn from our culture. We are exiles, but exiles on mission. Highly recommended.”

In our conversation Paul talks about some of the ideas behind the book and we also spend some time exploring Paul’s leadership journey, from his earliest interest in the Bible through a developing path that has brought him to his current role with the Bible Society.

The book is available from the Bible Society; if you live in Northern Ireland you can get a copy from ICM Books or the Evangelical Bookshop, and there are various online options for ordering, as well as a Kindle version.

There is one more podcast episode planned for 2023: I will be talking to author and seminary professor Justin Irving about his new book, Healthy Leadership for Thriving Organizations: it’s filled with helpful ideas for leaders of churches and Christian organisations or businesses.

The Leadership Journey Podcast: Jonathan Thomas

Posted on by jsalanwilson in authors, books, Christian leaders, Podcast

Jonathan Thomas is pastor of Cornerstone Church in Abergavenny, Wales. He is a regular contributor to BBC Radio Wales, has written and presents the material in a recent film on ‘Welsh Awakenings‘ and has published ‘Intentional Interruptions‘, a book that challenges us about the interruptions we experience in our distractedness and encourages us to seek the ways that God wants to interrupt us.

In this episode of the podcast, Jonathan talks about his journey as a Christian and in leadership, from his early years in a Welsh-speaking chapel, through his conversion and early steps in ministry. He. talks about some of the challenges that leaders can face in remaining focussed on the core of their calling and reminds us of the ‘glorious mundane’ – the sphere of simple service to God, perhaps in smaller or apparently less-spectacular places. He also talks about his book and – of course – what he would say to his 20-year-old self.

Watch out for a moment of poetic irony towards the end of the conversation!

The book, Intentional Interruptions, is available through various outlets: you might like to consider buying several copies to use with a small group.

In December I will be talking with Paul Williams, Chief Executive of the Bible Society.

The Leadership Journey Podcast: Jo Frost and Peter Lynas on ‘Being Human’

Posted on by jsalanwilson in authors, books, Christian leadership, Current affairs, MIssion, Podcast

This week we have another book-related episode as I am joined by Jo Frost and Peter Lynas who are talking about their new book, Being Human: A New Lens for our Cultural Conversations.

Jo has been with EA since 2017 and is director of communications and engagement. Peter is UK director and oversees EA’s advocacy work.

In our conversation Jo and Peter talk about their own journeys in Christian leadership and their work with EA (Peter has previously been a guest on the podcast and you can listen to his story here). They also talk about the book – how they came to write it, what the process of team writing was like and some of the basic ideas behind the book.

The book is one part of a suite of resources on the theme of Being Human – details of a podcast and video course are available on a special ‘Being Human’ website.

Peter Lynas and Jo Frost along with Manoj Raithatha, Chairman of the Evangelical Alliance, pictured at a book launch event in September

There is a special bonus for listeners to this episode of the podcast (and to anyone living in Northern Ireland). If you would like to support the work of the Evangelical Alliance, you can take out a personal or family membership: as part of your welcome pack you will receive a copy of the book. To find out more, or to sign up, go to the Evangelical Alliance website.

The guest on the next episode of the podcast will be Jonathan Thomas, pastor of Cornerstone Church in Abergavenny.

The Leadership Journey Podcast: Iain Provan on the cuckoos in our nest

Posted on by jsalanwilson in authors, books, Current affairs, Podcast

Iain Provan is a retired professor of Biblical Studies at Regent College in Vancouver where he worked for twenty-five years. He is the author of several books and his most recent offering is Cuckoos in our Nest: Truth and Lies about Being Human which was published earlier this year.

In our conversation we talk about Iain’s own story, from growing up in Scotland, and spend time talking about some of the ideas in the book.

The book essentially presents a biblical theology of what it means to be human, teasing out some of the implications of this, for example as they relate to wealth or creation care, and identifying some of the cuckoos, or false ways of thinking that have found their way into the Christian nest.

This is the first of a couple of podcasts on a similar theme as the next episode will consist of an interview with Jo Frost and Peter Lynas from the Evangelical Alliance, talking about their new book (set for release next week), Being Human.

For more from Iain, visit his website, where you will find information about his writing and other teaching.

The Leadership Journey Podcast: Andrew Ollerton

Posted on by jsalanwilson in authors, Bible, books, Christian leadership, Podcast

The guest on this episode of the podcast is author, speaker, family man, and outdoors adventurer, Andrew Ollerton. Andrew works with the Bible Society and has written The Bible: A Story That Makes Sense of Life, and Romans: A Letter That Makes Sense of Life. He has also written The Bible Course and The Romans Course which you can discover more on the website of the Bible Society.

Andrew’s mission in life is to help cultivate confidence in the Bible. It’s a thread that runs through his own life as well as his work. We develop this theme in our conversation and towards the end Andrew discusses the task as it relates to:

  • Preachers
  • Parents
  • Publishers and professors
  • The digital space (we couldn’t come up with a word starting with P)
  • Personal devotion

As with other guests on the podcast, he shares what he would say to his twenty-year old self.

Upcoming guests on the podcast include:

If you have not already done so, why not subscribe to to the podcast via Apple or Spotify?

Andrew Ollerton (L) with Bear Grylls: they’re working on a new project together.

The Leadership Journey Podcast: Portstewart Keswick special edition

Posted on by jsalanwilson in burnout, Christian leaders, Christian leadership, church leadership, church ministry, Podcast, self-care

Last week Pauline and I had the opportunity to share some thoughts on ministry resilience in the context of a leadership seminar at the Keswick at Portstewart Convention. The overall theme of the convention week was unshakable and the week featured some outstanding Bible teaching from Gilbert Lennox on Daniel, and from Jonathan Thomas and Andrew Ollerton on Romans.

In keeping with the overall theme (and with a little nod to James Bond) we called our seminar, Shaken but still Standing. Our presentation took the form of a conversation that we built around a structure that Pauline developed. If you want a quick takeaway, we start with the reminder that we are disciples and followers before we are leaders, and this means learning to walk with Jesus, which in turn means RELATIONSHIP, REST, and ROOTEDNESS.

Here is a link to a PDF of the slides we used during the seminar:

keswick-portstewart-2023-shaken-but-still-standing-1Download

The Leadership Journey Podcast: Andy Lamberton

Posted on by jsalanwilson in books, Christian leaders, Christian leadership, Podcast

The guest on this episode of the podcast is Andy Lamberton. For several years Andy has been leading the work of Exodus in the North West. Exodus is a young people’s discipleship movement that each year mobilises some 500 young people for summer missions. Andy’s role in Exodus is currently changing as he spearheads a new ministry called Legacy – a ministry designed to encourage fathers. He is married to a Derry Girl (an actual Derry Girl rather than a TV one) and has recently written his first book – Letters for Exiles: Faithful Living in a Faithless World.

In our conversation we talk about Andy’s own story and about his new book.

The Leadership Journey Podcast: John Risbridger

Posted on by jsalanwilson in Christian leaders, Christian leadership, church leadership, church ministry, Podcast

John Risbridger served for 17 years as pastor of Above Bar Church in Southampton. For most of the past year he has been working on an MA in Global Missiology and he and his wife, Alison have been appointed as the new leaders of the Catalyst Leadership and Theology training course.

Previously John worked for several years for UCCF in both regional and national roles. He has also served as chair of the Keswick Convention and is currently chair of the Evangelical Alliance Council and a member of the board. He is a conference speaker and author, having written The Message of Worship in the IVP Bible Speaks Today series.

In our conversation John talks about growing up in a strong family of faith and about the importance of forming strong peer friendships. He talks about some of the important lessons he has learned from various ministry settings and shares some of the opportunities and challenges of ministry. He also talks about ‘missional ecclesiology’ and the need for the Church to understand and speak of mission in a better way. And of course he also talks about what he would say to his twenty-year-old self.

During the conversation we mention a talk John gave on depression at New Horizon in 2022. You can access the talk here.

The Leadership Journey Podcast: Phil Knox

Posted on by jsalanwilson in books, Christian leadership, evangelism, leadership, Podcast

On this episode of the podcast I am talking with Phil Knox. Phil works with the Evangelical Alliance as an evangelism and missiology specialist.

Phil has recently published his second book, The Best of Friends: Choose wisely, Care well, and we spend some time talking about ideas from the book.

To get a copy of the book, you can try your local Christian bookshop, or follow the link to the IVP page where you can purchase a copy – either an ‘actual’ book or an ebook.

The podcast will be back in May and I will be talking with John Risbridger. John and his wife, Alison, are the leaders of the Catalyst Leadership and Theology Training programme.

The Leadership Journey Podcast: ‘Monty’ Montgomery

Posted on by jsalanwilson in Christian leaders, Christian leadership, leadership, Podcast

My guest on this episode of the podcast is David (more commonly known as ‘Monty’) Montgomery. Monty is the Regional Secretary for IFES Europe (International Fellowship of Evangelical Students), a role that involves oversight of student work in over forty countries.

In our conversation we discuss Monty’s early days (his father was a mission worker) and several key moments in the development of his faith. We talked about his sense of call to ministry and his time in the rarefied spiritual atmosphere of Regent College in Vancouver. This was followed by a season of ministry in several Presbyterian churches on either side of the Irish border before a move to student work with what became known as CUI (Christian Unions Ireland).

Monty shares about some of the challenges of and encouragements of ministry, including a helpful and challenging outline of how the nature of internal challenges change over the course of a ministry journey.

As ever, we conclude the conversation by hearing what he would say to his twenty-year old self.

The next guest on the podcast will be Phil Knox. Phil works with the Evangelical Alliance and is the author of an excellent new book on friendship: The Best of Friends: Choose wisely, Care well.

The Leadership Journey Podcast: Donna Jennings

Posted on by jsalanwilson in Christian leaders, Christian leadership, MIssion, Podcast

Donna Jennings is Church and Missions Co-ordinator with the Evangelical Alliance in Northern Ireland and she is the guest on this episode of the podcast.

As she reflects on her story, she talks about early church experiences and the sense that there should be ‘something more’ (a recurring theme in her story). As a young person she had a remarkable experience of the Lord and a sense that he had taken hold of her life. Student years carried their questions about the Christian faith but there were wise mentors who helped as came through this. She talks about life in Bangladesh, where she met her husband and learned how to introduce Jesus into a quite different culture. A diagnosis of autism for their son meant that the family moved to Northern Ireland where part of Donna’s energy has gone into working in the area of disability theology.

Donna talks about some of the resources she has been involved in producing with EA and answers the traditional podcast question of what she would say to her 20-year-old self.

If you would like to know more about the mission resources that Donna mentioned for churches, you can contact her at d.jennings@eauk.org. To learn more about the Evangelical Alliance and its work across the UK, visit their website.

The next guest on the podcast (after Easter) will be David ‘Monty’ Montgomery, Regional Secretary of IFES Europe.

The Leadership Journey Podcast: Kees Postma

Posted on by jsalanwilson in authors, books, Christian leaders, Christian leadership, church leadership, church ministry, mentoring, MIssion, Podcast

The guest on this episode of the podcast is Kees Postma. Kees is a Dutchman living in the northern part of his home country (Friesland) where he is involved in a church plant. He also helps oversee the church planting work of ECM (European Christian Mission) in Holland, Belgium and Germany.

Kees is also an author. His first book, The Retreat, is an unusual combination of humour and spiritual wisdom that tells the story of a fictional group of Dutch pastors who travel to the southern coast of Ireland (Kees used to work in Ireland) for a spiritual retreat.

In our conversation we talk about the book as well as taking about Kees’ own story and we get a preview of his next book which should appear this year.

You can pick up a copy of The Retreat here.

At the end of our conversation, in answer to the question of what he would say to his 20-year-old self, Kees, refers to a song by singer-songwriter (and author) Andrew Peterson. The song includes these words:

You don’t have to work so hard
You can rest easy
You don’t have to prove yourself
You’re already mine
You don’t have to hide your heart
I already love you
I hold it in mine
So you can rest easy

You might like to take a few minutes to listen to the rest of the song.

Shaped by the commonplace

Posted on by jsalanwilson in books, Christian leaders

One of the best books for Christian leaders that I have read is Reggie McNeal’s A Work of Heart. A while back, Reggie was a guest on the podcast and we talked about the book. In the past couple of years I have used the book in several mentoring conversations.

The sixth significant arena of heart-shaping that McNeal talks about is what he describes as ‘the commonplace’. At the end of the relevant chapter he suggests a list of questions worth pondering:

  • Where have you seen God lately?
  • What joys can you receive?
  • How have others blessed you today? How have you been a blessing?
  • What beauty surrounds you?
  • What pain drives you to God?
  • What kindness have you received recently? Who have you befriended in the last few days?
  • What small or large obediences to God can you celebrate?
  • Is your heart song one of gratitude?

The Leadership Journey Podcast: Sir George Hamilton

Posted on by jsalanwilson in Christian leaders, Christian leadership, leadership, Podcast

In the final episode of 2022 I’m speaking to Sir George Hamilton, former Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). George served in this role for five years, retiring in 2019 – this after a police career spanning thirty-four years.

Among the things we talk about are ambition and following God’s will. At times we can limit our understanding of calling to the world of pastors and missionaries: but what does it mean to someone progressing in a career outside of the church? The conversation also talks about the formation of values: how might a Christian’s personal values impact a secular organisation? And what really matters, even when someone reaches the pinnacle of their profession.

I hope you enjoy listening to this episode of the podcast: if you do, why not leave a review on Apple or Spotify?

Thanks for visiting the page, and may you have a wonderful Christmas.

The Leadership Journey Podcast: Andrew Roycroft

Posted on by jsalanwilson in books, church leadership, church ministry, Podcast

Andrew Roycroft is the pastor of Portadown Baptist Church. Previously he has served churches in Newtownards, Armagh and Millisle, as well as spending time with Baptist Missions in Peru.

In our conversation we cover the contours of his leadership journey, reflecting on some of the sometimes painful lessons learned along the way. Andrew is also a published poet and has recently released “33: reflections on the Gospel of Saint John” a collection of short poems based on John’s Gospel: we chat about his love of poetry in the podcast.

If you would like to get a copy of the book, you can contact Andrew via his church website or by locating him on Twitter (@AndrewTRoycroft).

Here is our conversation.

The Leadership Journey Podcast: Andy Hickford

Posted on by jsalanwilson in books, Christian leaders, Christian leadership, church leadership, church ministry, Podcast

For the past four years Andy Hickford has been Senior Minister at Upton Vale Baptist Church in Torquay. He is currently on sabbatical ahead of moving into a new phase of ministry with Jubilee Leadership – a new ministry with a focus on helping leaders have the opportunity for rest, release and restoration.

Previously Andy worked in churches in Worthing and Luton.

Be sure to listen all the way through and catch the things Andy would say to his 20-year-old self. I’ve asked him to wrote a blog about them – it will be posted here: they are very rich. In anticipation, here are the bullet points:

  • You are perfectly loved: learn to rest in that and minister from it.
  • God does speak, so learn to listen.
  • Pay attention to the habits and pace of your life.
  • Don’t be deceived by the miraculous aspects of your calling.
  • Embrace pilgrimage: enjoy the journey.

The guest on the next episode will be Andrew Roycroft. Andrew is pastor of Portadown Baptist Church. We will be talking about his leadership journey, but also about his new poetry collection: 33 reflections on the Gospel of Saint John.

The Leadership Journey Podcast: Gavin Calver

Posted on by jsalanwilson in Christian leaders, Christian leadership, leadership, Podcast

The guest on this episode of the podcast is Gavin Calver. Gavin is CEO of the Evangelical Alliance, a network of over 3000 churches and organisations across the UK. Previously he was the National Director of Youth for Christ and he has served as chair of Spring Harvest. He has authored several books, including ‘Unleashed: The Acts Church Today‘, written with his wife, Anne.

The podcast will be back next month when I will be talking to Andy Hickford.

The Leadership Journey Podcast: Manoj Raithatha

Posted on by jsalanwilson in books, Christian leaders, Christian leadership, church leadership, Podcast

Manoj Raithatha is pastor of Pinner Baptist Church in London and chair of the board of the Evangelical Alliance. He has recently published an updated version of his autobiography, ‘Filthy Rich: How the Property Crash Saved My Life‘ which tells the story of how God transformed the life of an Asian property dealer whose reputation was such that he was featured in the property pages of the Daily Telegraph.

It took the crash of 2008 to cause his lifestyle to crumble and the serious illness and subsequent miraculous recovery of his little boy to bring Manoj to the point of surrendering his life to Christ.

If you would like to get a copy of Manoj’s book, you can visit the website of Instant Apostle.

The podcast will be back next week when my guest will be Gavin Calver, CEO of the Evangelical Alliance.

Book news

Posted on by jsalanwilson in books

It’s just over a month since the book was officially launched (though it was already finding its way out before that). Recently it’s been on sale at several of the summer events, including New Wine Ireland and Keswick at Portstewart. I’ve seen a photo of it alongside a statue of Paddington Bear in Lima, Peru and on a beach in Spain. It’s also made it to Switzerland and Portugal. Thirty copies went to a conference with church workers in Central Europe and copies also went to a group of Christian workers as they came together for a prayer retreat in Ireland. Copies will be going to Nepal later in the year and a church leader in Fermanagh has taken twenty copies for some emerging leaders in his church.

Here are a few ideas about ways you could use the book in coming months:

  • Read it yourself – you could read the whole thing in about 4 hours and that helps give you an overall idea, but there is also value in reading it chapter by chapter and using the questions at the end of each chapter for reflection.
  • Gift a copy to your minister/pastor.
  • Gift a copy to a young, developing leader or a student.
  • Consider using the book with a group of leaders in your church or organisation. What about using it to help with team building over the autumn/winter months.
  • Use it as training material for a developing leaders’ group.

If you are in Northern Ireland, several well-known bookshops are selling the book – including The Evangelical Bookshop and The Book Well in Belfast. If you would like to purchase a quantity of books to use with a group, get in touch with me and let me know what you are planning and we may be able to negotiate a group rate.

Paul Turner (and Paddington) in Peru

If you are travelling to somewhere exotic or iconic this summer, why not send in a photo? You could win a prize!

The Leadership Journey Podcast: Gilbert Lennox and David Scott (Keswick Portstewart)

Posted on by jsalanwilson in Christian leaders, church leadership, church ministry, Podcast

Last week, in the context of the Keswick at Portstewart Convention, I chatted with two of the speakers – David Scott and Gilbert Lennox – about their leadership journeys. David leads the ministry of Inshes Church of Scotland, while Gilbert (who has been on the podcast previously) is known for his teaching ministry in Glenabbey Church.

**There was a technical issue with David’s microphone at the beginning of the conversation: it gets sorted about 4 minutes in.

If you would like to watch the conversation rather than just listen, follow this link.

The Leadership Journey Podcast: Book Launch Edition

Posted on by jsalanwilson in books, Christian leaders, Christian leadership, Podcast

This episode of the podcast is a bit different. We have a guest interviewer, Gemma Brown, and she’s talking to me (her dad) about my new book, ‘The Crucible of Leadership’ which has been officially launched this week.

As well as talking about some of the processes and ideas behind the book, we even have a surprising intervention about dinosaurs!

The book is now fairly widely available. Make a start with your local Christian bookstore and if you can’t get it there, then it will be available from some of the usual online sources, or you can contact me via this website and I will send you a copy. Otherwise I will be at several of the summer conferences and copies of the book will be available – you can even get your copy signed!

In July I will be recording a special live edition of the podcast at the Keswick at Portstewart Convention, when I will be chatting with David Scott and Glen Scrivener over Wednesday lunchtime.

Launch day for ‘The Crucible of Leadership

Posted on by jsalanwilson in books, Christian leadership

Although the book has been in circulation for a few weeks, today is the official launch day. You can read the publisher’s official announcement on their website.

In recent years, there has been a craze for all things ‘leadership’, with one fad after another promising dramatic change. But as headlines have proven in recent months, just what constitutes good leadership is very far from settled. So if the quick fixes don’t work, where can we turn to discover how we might lead well, in church or in the workplace, when our time comes?

Read more here.

The Leadership JOurney Podcast: Patrick Regan

Posted on by jsalanwilson in books, Christian leadership, leadership, Podcast

Patrick Regan is CEO of the charity, Kintsugi Hope, a charity that exists ‘to make a difference to people’s well-being’. Previously he founded and led a youth charity called XLP. He’s written six books – including his most recent one, ‘Bouncing Forwards‘ which looks at the subject of resilience, and he has travelled to over forty countries.

In our conversation we talk about some of what led Patrick into leadership, what it was like to hand over the leadership of XLP, the charity that he had started, and about the nature of Kintsugi Hope. Along the way we talk about resilience, about the stigma that often seems to be attached to issues of mental health, and – of course – about what Patrick would say to his 20-year-old self.

Here are three of Patrick’s top tips for resilience:

  • Go gently
  • Be kind
  • Stay connected
Kintsugi

You can visit the Kintsugi Hope website to find out more about what’s involved, and if you are interested in starting a group: you can also pick up copies of Patrick’s books (as well as your own Kintsugi kit).

On the next episode of the podcast, I will be talking about my new book – ‘The Crucible of Leadership: Learning from the story of Moses‘ which officially launches this month.