In the pursuit of becoming a great leader, Lance Ford found himself immersed in the fervor of the mid-90s Seeker church movement. However, his journey took an unexpected turn as he began to notice discrepancies between the teachings of Jesus and the prevailing leadership ethos. This realization led to his departure from the church he had founded, and a subsequent role at a prominent megachurch only solidified his conviction that a deeper issue permeated the church's leadership structures. What he discovered will challenge everything you thought you knew about leadership in the church.

If you're feeling overwhelmed by the pressure to grow your church at any cost, then you are not alone! The relentless focus on numbers and programs may be leaving you feeling spiritually depleted, despite the outward appearance of success. If you're feeling like you have to put on a facade of perfection and always have all the answers, then you are not alone! The pursuit of a mega-church model may be causing you to neglect your own well-being and authenticity as a leader. If you're feeling like you're constantly comparing your church to others and never measuring up, then you are not alone! The endless cycle of competition and comparison in the pursuit of growth may be leading to burnout and a loss of true community within your congregation.

My special guest is Lance Ford.

Lance Ford, a well-established church leader and author, has made significant contributions to the faith community through his publications in recognized platforms like Christianity Today and Outreach magazine. With a distinguished career spanning over three decades, Lance has applied his expertise as a pastor and church planner to develop unique training systems utilized by network seminaries and leaders globally. Renowned for his insightful books, including "Unleader," "The Starfish and the Spirit," and "Missional Essentials," Lance has demonstrated a comprehensive understanding of the complexities within evangelical spaces. His latest work, "The Atlas Factor," critically examines the inherent pitfalls of traditional church leadership models, offering valuable insights and practical wisdom for church leaders and pastors aiming to establish healthier and more authentic leadership structures. Lance's extensive experience and authoritative perspective position him as a valuable resource for reshaping leadership dynamics within the faith community.

You're not wrong with those little red flags. When you go to the scripture again, you start seeing it. - Lance Ford

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Embrace authentic and servant-hearted leadership in your faith community.
• Explore the pitfalls of the mega-church model and its impact on leadership.
• Learn to shift the focus of leadership to Jesus for a more genuine approach.
• Understand the disillusionment with the leadership industrial complex and its effects.
• Implement healthier leadership structures for a more sustainable and impactful church.

Cultivating healthier leadership structures

Creating healthier leadership structures within the church is a salient issue across different denominations and sizes of churches. Institutions can draw on Jesus Christ's teachings for inspiration, fostering a balance of power that encourages servant-hearted leadership. By shifting leadership paradigms and prioritizing the fundamental teachings of Jesus Christ, churches can cultivate healthier communities that better serve their congregations and embody the true spirit of Christianity.

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

• Join the Difference Maker community by visiting www.patreon.com/aWorldofDifference to access exclusive interviews and engage in deeper conversations with difference makers like Lance Ford.
• Purchase a copy of Lance Ford's book, "The Atlas Factor," to gain insight into toxic leadership systems and find hope for healthier faith communities. The book is available for purchase on various online platforms and in bookstores.
• Connect with Lance Ford for coaching, consulting, and training on church leadership and systems by visiting www.theatlasfactor.com or emailing info@theatlasfactor.com.
• Consider engaging in self-care practices to support your mental and emotional well-being, especially if the conversation has brought up challenging experiences or emotions. Take time to breathe, engage your senses, and prioritize your own health and well-being.
• Explore the free trial option for the Difference Maker community to access exclusive interviews, polls, and engage in conversations that can help you make a difference in your own unique way.

The majority are good. Even some of the worst abusers that we could name today, you look back at their history, you talk to the witnesses that were around in the early days. They started out good. - Lance Ford

The key moments in this episode are:

00:00:02 - Introducing the Podcast and Guest

00:01:52 - Lance's Background and Book

00:04:10 - Aha Moment

00:11:08 - Root Causes of Leadership Issues

00:14:15 - Church as a Platform for Narcissism

00:16:38 - The Evolution of Leadership

00:23:17 - Abuse of Power in Churches

00:27:04 - Jesus' Approach to Power

00:29:32 - Impact of the System on Whistleblowers

00:30:21 - The Atlas Factor

00:33:33 - The Importance of the Atlas Vertebra

00:35:06 - Paul's Teachings on Leadership

00:36:57 - Challenging Traditional Leadership Models

00:39:55 - Overcoming Cognitive Dissonance

00:46:03 - A Call to Action and Finding Support

00:49:19 - Importance of Metaphor and Theology

00:50:05 - Lance's Approach and Authenticity

00:51:46 - Recognizing Red Flags

00:52:47 - Lance's Empathy and Straightforwardness

00:55:21 - Self-Care and Encouragement

Timestamped summary of this episode:

00:00:02 - Introducing the Podcast and Guest

Lori introduces the podcast and the guest, Lance Ford. She highlights his background as a pastor, church planter, and author, and emphasizes his new book, "The Atlas Factor."

00:01:52 - Lance's Background and Book

Lance shares his background as a pastor and network director, and his journey of questioning leadership in the church. He discusses his previous book, "Unleader," and how it led to the writing of "The Atlas Factor."

00:04:10 - Aha Moment

Lori asks Lance about his moment of realization regarding the leadership culture in the church. Lance shares his experience of being on staff at a large church and witnessing questionable behavior from influential leaders, leading to his realization of the epidemic.

00:11:08 - Root Causes of Leadership Issues

Lori and Lance discuss the potential causes of the toxic leadership culture in the church. They touch on the attraction of power and influence in faith-based organizations and the potential draw for individuals with narcissistic tendencies.

00:14:15 - Church as a Platform for Narcissism

The conversation delves into the allure of the church as a platform for individuals with narcissistic tendencies to fulfill their desire for power and control. They explore the dynamics that enable and perpetuate such behavior within church leadership.

00:16:38 - The Evolution of Leadership

Lance discusses his surprise at the newness of the concept of leadership, as evidenced by its absence in older dictionaries. He highlights the industrial revolution's impact on the development of modern leadership theories.

00:23:17 - Abuse of Power in Churches

Lori and Lance discuss the specific impact of the industrial revolution on church leadership and the resulting burnout culture. They emphasize the need to address systemic issues rather than just symptoms.

00:27:04 - Jesus' Approach to Power

Lance delves into Jesus' teachings on power and leadership, emphasizing the contrast between worldly power dynamics and the servant leadership model promoted by Jesus.

00:29:32 - Impact of the System on Whistleblowers

The conversation explores the detrimental effects of the current leadership system on whistleblowers and women, highlighting the toxic masculinity and patriarchal structures within the church.

00:30:21 - The Atlas Factor

Lance introduces the concept of the Atlas factor as a metaphor for the burden placed on church leaders to carry the weight of the world. He explores the idea of decentralized leadership and the need to shift the focus onto Jesus as the true head of the church.

00:33:33 - The Importance of the Atlas Vertebra

Lance Ford discusses the significance of the atlas vertebra, its role in connecting the brain to the body, and how misalignment can affect overall health.

00:35:06 - Paul's Teachings on Leadership

Paul's writings in Ephesians are discussed, emphasizing the importance of the body of Christ and the misuse of titles such as "head pastor" in modern leadership models.

00:36:57 - Challenging Traditional Leadership Models

Lance encourages readers to re-examine their understanding of leadership by reading the Bible with fresh eyes and questioning the prevailing church growth and leadership models.

00:39:55 - Overcoming Cognitive Dissonance

The conversation delves into the challenges of navigating cognitive dissonance within the church, addressing the disconnect between what should be happening and what actually occurs in many church settings.

00:46:03 - A Call to Action and Finding Support

Lance offers support to those who have experienced abuse within the church, providing hope and practical resources for individuals and communities seeking positive change. He also shares his contact information for further assistance.

00:49:19 - Importance of Metaphor and Theology

Lance Ford discusses the significance of the metaphor of the Atlas factor and theological implications. He emphasizes the need for people to know they are not alone in dealing with toxic faith environments.

00:50:05 - Lance's Approach and Authenticity

Lori praises Lance's research synthesis and caring nature. She highlights his ability to give language to issues and communicate in a caring and loving manner. Lance's authenticity in addressing hard truths is also commended.

00:51:46 - Recognizing Red Flags

Lori emphasizes the importance of recognizing red flags in toxic faith environments. She encourages listeners to pick up Lance's book, "The Atlas Factor," to gain insight into unhealthy church dynamics and toxic leadership.

00:52:47 - Lance's Empathy and Straightforwardness

Lori appreciates Lance's empathy towards marginalized individuals and his ability to synthesize information. She commends his straightforward yet caring approach in addressing toxic faith environments and interactions with people.

00:55:21 - Self-Care and Encouragement

Lori encourages listeners to engage in self-care and mindfulness after listening to the podcast. She affirms the value and worth of the audience, urging them to take care of themselves as they continue making a difference in the world.