Are you exhausted from trying to be the perfect church leader who has all the answers? Nicole Massie Martin, COO of Christianity Today and author of “Nailing It: Why Successful Leadership Demands Suffering and Surrender,” introduces us to cruciform leadership—a revolutionary approach that places the cross at the center of how we lead. Drawing from her journey from corporate consultant to ministry executive, Nicole reveals how most leadership models ignore the very heart of Christian faith and why pastors are burning out trying to lead like the world instead of following Jesus.
In this powerful conversation, Nicole shows us what it means to replace perfectionism with perfect union with Christ, how to let God set the pace instead of competing with other churches, and why authentic vulnerability is what congregations are actually hungry for. Through cruciform leadership, church leaders can move from trying to be their congregation’s savior to pointing people toward the real Savior, discovering the abundant life that comes through embracing the way of the cross rather than chasing worldly success.
Resources Mentioned:
- “Nailing It: Why Successful Leadership Demands Suffering and Surrender” by Nicole Massie Martin
- “The Practice of the Presence of God” by Brother Lawrence
- “And How Will They Hear?” Compelling Preaching Project at Luther Seminary
- Soul Fire International Ministries – Founded and led by Nicole as Executive Director
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