In this final episode of the Stirrers and Saints podcast, Brian and Aaron reflect on the key themes of the podcast - and the book that inspired it all.  Leaders must be both stirrers and saints, and every organisation must have the various leaderships (plural) of shepherd, sage, steward, servant, see-er, and sculptor. This podcast might be ending, but the Centre for Faith and Life is only just beginning! Make sure to follow us and keep in touch, to see what’s coming next. A Centre for Faith and Life Production. For more information, visit centreforfaithandlife.com  Find us on Instagram and Facebook and say hi! And if you would like to support us buy shouting us a coffee (to keep us caffeinated up!) follow this link: buymeacoffee.com/centreforfaithandlife

In this episode, Brian and Aaron reflect on the eight episodes that comprised season three on the topic of ’Faith at Work’. A great deal was discussed, and hopefully a lot of insightful wisdom was shared!  From thinking about the future to thinking about your values, goal setting to disagreeing, theology to work, this season was crammed with good stuff. A Centre for Faith and Life Production. For more information, visit centreforfaithandlife.com  Find us on Instagram and Facebook and say hi! And if you would like to support us buy shouting us a coffee (to keep us caffeinated up!) follow this link: buymeacoffee.com/centreforfaithandlife

What is ambition?  Is ambition a virtue or a vice? How do you gain respect and standing at work? Are these good things to pursue? In this episode, Brian and Aaron talk about the nature of ambition, what it means to be respected in the work place, and the distinction between status and standing. The former has more to do with the power and authority that comes with your formal position, whereas the latter has more to do with your character. It is the contention of this podcast that character and formation is vital, and there are far too few leaders with far too little character.  Things to think about this week: What are your ambitions? How can you turn those ambitions into good and worthy goals? Do those goals have more to do with yourself or your community? What is your current standing, and how can you improve it? A Centre for Faith and Life Production. For more information, visit centreforfaithandlife.com  Find us on Instagram and Facebook and say hi! And if you would like to support us buy shouting us a coffee (to keep us caffeinated up!) follow this link: buymeacoffee.com/centreforfaithandlife

”We need to agree on what makes humans remarkable...and then get really good at it.” Brian and Aaron talk with old friend and futurist Jon Bergmann about what he has termed the ”Fluencies of the Future”, the core elements of what it means to be human. These are the things that define who we are and that we shouldn’t sacrifice on the altar of progress. These are the things we must hold dearly and defend with everything we have, in the face of an increasingly complex and divisive world, and of technological advancement.  An uplifting and exciting - and profound - conversation to help you think about your place in the world and the workplace into the future.  Download Jon’s Fluencies of the Future: https://avenirleadership.org/fotf/  Things to think about this week: Download and read the Fluencies of the Future.  Do something different, like pick up a hobby, a book in a genre you haven’t tried before, or start learning a new language.  Think into your own personhood. Are you giving anything away? Think about what it means to be human. A Centre for Faith and Life Production. For more information, visit centreforfaithandlife.com  Find us on Instagram and Facebook and say hi! And if you would like to support us buy shouting us a coffee (to keep us caffeinated up!) follow this link: buymeacoffee.com/centreforfaithandlife

What would work look like without disrupters? Perhaps that idea fills you peace and joy, or perhaps the idea bores you.  The truth is, without disrupters - the ones who question, challenge, and push back - our organisations, and indeed our world, would grind to a halt. It would stagnate, falling back into a comfortable status quo where nothing ever changes and innovations is discouraged, rather than encouraged. So we need disrupters. But how do we disrupt in a way that is respectful and appropriate? How do we make space for, encourage, and empower disrupters in our teams? This is the topic for this episode, so listen in to learn how disagree agreeably. What sort of person are you? What sort of person do you wish you were? What sort of person do you hope to become?  If an alien from outer space was to look at your life, what would they see? What would you want them to see?  It is impossible to answer any of these questions, at least not accurately, without taking a serious, careful, objective look at yourself. This might be a humbling, uncomfortable experience, but remember that ’facts are friends’ and it is much better to have an accurate idea of who you are in order to figure out how to become the sort of person you would like to become. In this episode, Brian and Aaron talk about conducting personal audits, asking questions of the self to figure where we are at and what chapter we are currently in. Things to think about this week: Question whether or not you allow disrupters in your life or workplace. Question whether or not you are willing to step into that position yourself? Practice viewing challenge as a good thing. Give people the right to disagree as we seek consensus. A Centre for Faith and Life Production. For more information, visit centreforfaithandlife.com  Find us on Instagram and Facebook and say hi! And if you would like to support us buy shouting us a coffee (to keep us caffeinated up!) follow this link: buymeacoffee.com/centreforfaithandlife

What sort of person are you? What sort of person do you wish you were? What sort of person do you hope to become?  If an alien from outer space was to look at your life, what would they see? What would you want them to see?  It is impossible to answer any of these questions, at least not accurately, without taking a serious, careful, objective look at yourself. This might be a humbling, uncomfortable experience, but remember that ’facts are friends’ and it is much better to have an accurate idea of who you are in order to figure out how to become the sort of person you would like to become. In this episode, Brian and Aaron talk about conducting personal audits, asking questions of the self to figure where we are at and what chapter we are currently in. Things to think about this week: Conduct a spiritual audit of yourself. Be open and honest as you answer those questions. Picture yourself in 10 years. Ask questions and treat them as invitations. A Centre for Faith and Life Production. For more information, visit centreforfaithandlife.com  Find us on Instagram and Facebook and say hi! And if you would like to support us buy shouting us a coffee (to keep us caffeinated up!) follow this link: buymeacoffee.com/centreforfaithandlife

Do you have your life planned out? What will you be doing 1 year from now, 5 years, 10 years...? Have you planned anything at all, or are you winging it? Plan too much and you might struggle when the curveballs of life get thrown your way, but if you don’t plan at all then you might just end up nowhere at all. Remember, failing to plan is planning to fail, and if you aim at nothing then that is what you just might get. In this episode, Brian and Aaron discussed life planning and stressed the importance of being intentional in thinking about our futures and how our lives can have a positive impact. What will you do with your life? Things to think about this week: Identify your strengths and consider what might be disqualifying characteristics.  Determine what chapter you are currently in. Come up with a life mission statement. A Centre for Faith and Life Production. For more information, visit centreforfaithandlife.com  Find us on Instagram and Facebook and say hi! And if you would like to support us buy shouting us a coffee (to keep us caffeinated up!) follow this link: buymeacoffee.com/centreforfaithandlife

How do you know what you value? Why do they matter? How do we figure all of this out? Values may go stated (words like ’courage’ and ’integrity’ and ’innovation’ plastered on staff room walls) or they may be hidden, lurking beneath the surface of every decision we make. Quite often, our values only become evident when something happens that conflicts with those values we didn’t realise we had. And sometimes they simply shape the culture of our workplace or the particular way we do things. But we all have them.  In this episode, Brian and Aaron chat to Bec Oates (the incoming CEO of Tearfund Australia) about values. Bec brings a wealth of experience from her work with NFP’s and running her business. She shared three values: Integrity, Justice, and...you’ll have to listen to found out the third, but it’s a surprising one! Things to think about this week: What do you value? What values would someone see when they look at you? A Centre for Faith and Life Production. For more information, visit centreforfaithandlife.com  Find us on Instagram and Facebook and say hi! And if you would like to support us buy shouting us a coffee (to keep us caffeinated up!) follow this link: buymeacoffee.com/centreforfaithandlife

Work is supposed to be good. To go to work, to toil and labour, is to reflect the creative and productive character of God. It brings purpose and meaning, and allows us to make the world a better place and be custodians of God’s good creation. But work, for so many, does not inspire. It’s a drain and a dread. They knuckle down and get on with the workweek just looking to get home or for Friday evening to come around.  So how can work be good? Why is it not good for so many? How can we make it purposeful? Brian and Aaron chat through these questions and talk, theologically, about the nature of work. Things to think about this week: How can you make sure that you good some good sleep? How can you - in whatever position or role you currently occupy - make you workplace a positive and redemptive place? How can you ensure the smile of God? If you could do anything, and money was no issue, what would you do? A Centre for Faith and Life Production. For more information, visit centreforfaithandlife.com  Find us on Instagram and Facebook and say hi! And if you would like to support us buy shouting us a coffee (to keep us caffeinated up!) follow this link: buymeacoffee.com/centreforfaithandlife

Christian faith is not limited to Sunday mornings. Indeed, it stretches into every part of our lives, including our work. The Christian church has had a major impact on Western Civilisation and how we do work, and its values have permeated into many of today’s ”secular” organisations. As leaders today, it’s vital that we think about the values - both stated and implicit - of the organisations we lead and work within. This episode is the first of eight exploring the topic of ”Faith at Work” and Brian sits down with Aaron to discuss what it means to be a faithful Christian within your workplace - wherever that is.  Things to think about this week: What are the values of your organisation? What is the theological architecture of your workplace? Who are the people around you? What can you do? A Centre for Faith and Life Production. For more information, visit centreforfaithandlife.com  Find us on Instagram and Facebook and say hi!

Join Brian Harris and Aaron Chidgzey as they re-listen to some of their favourite moments from season two and reflect on the helpful and insightful leadership lessons. They discuss what it means to care for people without being intrusive, creating a culture and inspiring vision, being set apart and working with others who are also set apart, the importance of making mistakes, and remaining hopeful about the future. This is the last episode of season two, so keep in touch with Centre for Faith and Life on Facebook and Instagram, and the CFL website, to stay in the loop about what’s coming next. Exciting things to come! A Centre for Faith and Life Production. For more information, visit centreforfaithandlife.com  Find us on Instagram and Facebook and say hi!

Leaders need to think creatively and imaginatively to solve problems, dream big, cast vision, and create a culture where people flourish. And the good news is that everyone can be creative!  But how is it done? And is it possible to get better at it? Aaron Chidgzey sits down with Brian Harris and special guest, musician and cafe manager extraordinaire, Jett Harris, to talk about this important and inspiring topic. What ensues is an encouraging, uplifting, and practical conversation that will help any listener feel more confident in their creativity.  A Centre for Faith and Life Production. For more information, visit centreforfaithandlife.com  Find us on Instagram and Facebook and say hi!

Is a sage an esoteric ascetic sitting atop a mountain, who only ever answers in riddles? Or is a sage the one who speaks the loudest and never thinks they’re wrong? Perhaps (though probably not for the second one), but most of the time, a sage is someone who understands their own limitations, is willing to admit to their mistakes, and is constantly reflecting and evaluating and growing. That’s the sort of person we think most people would like to follow. In this episode, Brian Harris is joined by Aaron Chidgzey and Bec Oates to chat about it what means for a leader to be a sage. A leader must at least be seeking to grow in wisdom and be someone who passes that wisdom on to others. They experience and learn from life and teach their followers. Bec offers some incredible wisdom here, about what it means to be wise. A Centre for Faith and Life Production. For more information, visit centreforfaithandlife.com  Find us on Instagram and Facebook and say hi!

What does a ’professional’ leader look like? Probably the same as what a ’perfect’ Christian looks like: inauthentic. There is significant cultural pressure to professionalise our leadership, but this often comes with a cost, and that cost is our ability to effectively point people toward God. In this episode, Aaron Chidgzey sits down with Jen Argue and guest Mandy Smith, pastor, leader, teacher, and author of the upcoming book ’Confessions of an Amateur Saint: The Christian Leader’s Journey from Self-Sufficiency to Reliance on God’. Mandy urges the Christian leader to embrace vulnerability and authenticity, to learn be comfortable with discomfort, and return to a trusting dependance on God.  The book is available for pre-order Amazon and Koorong.  A Centre for Faith and Life Production. For more information, visit centreforfaithandlife.com  Find us on Instagram and Facebook and say hi!

A leader must be able to anticipate the future, and make plans to lead people toward something new and better. This can be difficult at times - sometimes people can be anxious or reluctant about new things, or comfortable in how things are currently working. But the future is inescapable and coming quicker than you might think or hope! Jon Bergmann likes to talk about the future, and chats with Aaron Chidgzey and guest, Nathan Brown, CEO of Christian Media and Arts Australia, who also like to think and talk about the future. This conversation is filled with AI, chatbots, and technology, but mostly how to faith in God and have hope that, no matter what, God will present with us always. A Centre for Faith and Life Production. For more information, visit centreforfaithandlife.com  Find us on Instagram and Facebook and say hi!

Leadership is about making decisions. Indeed, the human experience is about making decisions. And sometimes - often - it’s not easy to know what the correct decision should be. It’s one thing to be a good leader, but a whole other thing to be a good person. In this episode, Brian sits down with Aaron and friend, Dr. Michael O’Neil to discuss ethics. Michael is a lecturer in theology and ethics, and the conversation covers a lot of ground, from medical ethics to social ethics, leadership to the role of the church in society. One that will surely get you thinking and reflecting! A Centre for Faith and Life Production. For more information, visit centreforfaithandlife.com  Find us on Instagram and Facebook and say hi!

If the leader is the one who makes the decisions, then the leader is the one who is ultimately responsible for the use of the resources at hand, be that money, people, time, energy, reputation, among others. So the leader is also a steward. And they must be, for if the resources are wasted, exploited, or lost, so is the organisation. So how does one be a wise steward? Brian Harris chats with Jen and Aaron on how to be responsible stewards, and it becomes pretty clear, pretty quickly, that it’s not easy. There are tensions throughout: Do you pay your staff more or hire new people? Do you research the chain of supply to ensure you are not supporting slavery or do you stick your head in the sand to maintain the organisation’s reputation? Do you give people space or do you give them a nudge?  Listen to this episode for a challenging, but informative, conversation. A Centre for Faith and Life Production. For more information, visit centreforfaithandlife.com  Find us on Instagram and Facebook and say hi!

Leader as servant? Isn’t that an oxymoron? No! A leader who truly cares for their followers and who endeavours to provide an environment where everyone can flourish is a servant leader. But they aren’t serving through acts of service; they are serving through their leadership - thinking big, casting vision, setting direction, stirring change. That is what Aaron Chidgzey talks about with Jen Argue and Brian Harris in this episode.  A Centre for Faith and Life Production. For more information, visit centreforfaithandlife.com  Find us on Instagram and Facebook and say hi!

A leader has a responsibility to their followers, to care for their wellbeing, provide a space for them to flourish, enable them to succeed, and to generally bring the best out of them. In this sense, a leader is a shepherd. In this episode, Jen Argue sits down with Brian Harris and Jon Bergmann to chat about this concept of the leader as a shepherd. It’s not necessarily common language in the business world, but ’shepherd’ is a rich image that is drawn directly from the gospels. As leaders, we emulate Christ himself. And that is both a great privilege and a great responsibility. A Centre for Faith and Life Production. For more information, visit centreforfaithandlife.com  Find us on Instagram and Facebook and say hi!

Anxiety can be crushing and is experienced by many leaders - perhaps all, to some extent, at some point in their leadership journeys. Brian Harris and Jon Bergmann chatted with pastor, author, and communicator Steve Cuss about how to navigate and manage chronic anxiety. As a leader, looking after yourself and your wellbeing is vital and Steve offers wisdom and practical advice to help everyone. Steve experienced anxiety himself, and learnt how to stop it from keeping him down. Now he travels the world teaching others how to do the same. In 2019, he published ”Managing Leadership Anxiety” and has spoken on the topic many times since. A must read for all leaders. This episode was recorded in June 2022. A Centre for Faith and Life Production. For more information, visit centreforfaithandlife.com  Find us on Instagram and Facebook and say hi!