Dennis Shaw offers a short reflection on a guiding principle and is the start of a series on more personal observations on church leadership.

The session is a reflective leadership discussion, centered on a core guiding principle: love your congregation where they are. The discussion challenges the notion of “fixing” a congregation, emphasizes the plurality of community, trust-building, and leadership as presence and listening rather than control.

Dennis can be reached at dennis at mantuan dot org (for the Apple users) or HERE for others. Smile.

Richard Rohr website is HERE and is excellent. There is a daily meditation available and the comments on this podcast were drawn from the meditation for August 25, 2025.

Dennis apologizes for having "been away" but he is back. The podcast is still a work in progress. Peace.

This is my take on a resolution we will be voting on at our Annual Conference.

I am not sure if it has an extended shelf life. I might bring it down after it serves its purpose.

This is simply an attempt to explain, in more time than I would have on Thursday, why I find a particular resolution problematic. The resolution is HERE.

In this episode of Mindful Leader, host Dennis Shaw explores the human tendency towards self-centeredness through the lens of David Foster Wallace's famous "This is Water" commencement speech.

Drawing on Wallace's metaphor of two fish unaware they're swimming in water, Dennis discusses our default human setting: seeing ourselves as the absolute center of the universe. The podcast challenges listeners to become aware of this innate perspective and intentionally choose to see beyond our own immediate experience.

Dennis weaves together insights from theologians like Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Richard Rohr to illustrate how personal transformation requires "unlearning" our ego-driven perspectives. Mirroring Wallace, Dennis emphasizes that we have a daily choice: remain trapped in our self-centered default mode or actively cultivate empathy, connection, and a broader understanding of our interconnectedness. Using examples ranging from marathon training to global perspectives, Dennis argues that mindfulness is about recognizing we are active participants in life, not just passive recipients replying on our default, self-absorbed, hard-wired default settings.

The podcast concludes with a practical challenge: as you go about your daily routine, ask yourself what choices you're making in mundane moments. Are you challenging your default settings? Are you choosing to be "light" and "salt" in the world? The message is hopeful, suggesting that by becoming aware of our natural self-centeredness, we can choose to see the "vast ocean of possibilities" that exists beyond our immediate perception.

Dennis email is HERE.

"This is Water" -- 2005 Kenyon College Commencement Speech.

Join Dennis Shaw, host of Mindful Leader, as he engages in a compelling conversation with clergy leader Michael Smith of the Greater New Jersey Conference of the United Methodist Church.

In this episode, they explore the critical themes of Soul Care and self-care for clergy and lay leaders within the church. Dennis and Michael share their personal experiences and insights into finding harmony between vocational responsibilities, personal life, and spiritual well-being.

The discussion highlights the challenges clergy face in balancing their roles as leaders, parents, spouses, and individuals. They emphasize the importance of not only managing church growth and leadership but also nurturing one's own soul and identity beyond the clergy role. Through personal anecdotes and practical advice, the episode offers a roadmap for clergy to prioritize their well-being while effectively serving their congregations.

For anyone involved in church leadership or seeking inspiration to maintain a healthy balance in life, this conversation provides valuable perspectives on achieving both personal fulfillment and professional effectiveness.

A Transcript is HERE. Expires in April.

I owe you a link to David Foster Wallace: This is Water.

Dennis email is HERE.

This is a rebroadcast from 2023!

In this episode of Mindful Leader, host Dennis Shaw revisits a 2023 conversation with Thomas Risager, a pastor in the Danish United Methodist Church who is a candidate for the Episcopacy in the Nordic and Baltic Central Conference in early April.

They explore the unique religious landscape of Denmark, where a small percentage of the population attends church despite the majority being church members. Thomas shares insights on how Danish churches are adapting to modern challenges, employing music, especially gospel choirs, as an evangelism tool to connect with the community.

Through anecdotes and heartfelt dialogue, this episode offers a profound look at the evolving role of the church in a secularized society and the innovative ways in which faith leaders are fostering a sense of community and spiritual connection in today's world.

Welcome to Mindful Leader. Your host is Dennis Shaw, a retired elder in the Mountain Sky Conference of the United Methodist Church, as he delves into the topic of leadership within the local church.

In this two episode conversation, Dennis talks with Dr. Lucy Hogan, Professor Emerita of Preaching and Worship at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C.

Several sites with summaries of Dr. Hogan's distinguished credentials are:

• Wesley Theological Seminary
• Working Preacher
• Ministry Matters

Last week (on Podbean) is here.

Dennis and Dr. Hogan discuss the importance of community, highlighting that being prophetic is not a solitary journey but one engaged in communal fellowship, challenging status quos, and offering hope.

Through personal anecdotes and thoughtful reflection, the episode urges leaders to embrace empathy and imagination, cultivate courage, and rely on the Holy Spirit to guide their prophetic voice. Whether tackling social concerns or offering a pastoral approach to preaching, the episode encourages a new perspective on leadership that honors both individual and collective gifts in the pursuit of justice and truth.

Anamnesis and Prolepsis defined here. We play with this idea a little.

We mention in the podcast preaching professor Leonora Tisdale. Here is her Yale Divinity School information and here is the book discussed.

Transcript here and this expires March 31, 2025.

Dennis here

I try and weekly recommend an excellent podcast. Today, that is here. This is Bari Weiss speech to the Federalist Society receiving the Olson award. Powerful. Should you listen, ask if Weiss is speaking the truth to power. I am an admirer of Bari.

Share, share, share!

Welcome to Mindful Leader. Your host is Dennis Shaw, a retired elder in the Mountain Sky Conference of the United Methodist Church, as he delves into the topic of leadership within the local church.

In this two episode conversation, Dennis talks with Dr. Lucy Hogan, Professor Emerita of Preaching and Worship at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C.

Several sites with summaries of Dr. Hogan's distinguished credentials are:

• Wesley Theological Seminary
• Working Preacher
• Ministry Matters

Dr. Hogan shares her insights on leading prophetically in today's interesting times, underlining the importance of speaking truth to power. The conversation explores how both clergy and laity can engage in prophetic leadership, drawing on examples from church history and modern-day scenarios.

The episode starts with a reflection from the headlines in January, 2025. It highlights inspiring stories and challenges faced by leaders who seek to navigate the intersection of faith and societal issues, inviting listeners to reflect on their roles in the broader community. This is Episode 1 of a thought-provoking, two-episode, discussion that encourages courage, humility, and love in leadership.

Transcript, in theory, is HERE. (Have been experiencing a few difficulties here. Don't hesitate to send me a note.)

Episode 2 will be released on March 3, 2025.

Share, share, share!

Dennis email is HERE.

Welcome to the Mindful Leader podcast hosted by Dennis Shaw, a retired elder from the Mountain Sky Conference of the United Methodist Church. This episode, features Dr. George Thompson, and we focus on leadership development in local churches. Dr. Thompson shares insights from his extensive experience and his book Church on the Edge of Somewhere. exploring the dynamics of church identity, leadership, and the societal influences on congregations.

(The grid that Dennis and Dr. Thompson discuss is shown at the bottom of these show notes.)

Through engaging dialogue, Dr. Thompson and Dennis discuss the significance of understanding congregations as distinct entities, and how leaders can navigate the complexities of church dynamics. The conversation delves into adaptive leadership, empathetic marginality, and the importance of moving beyond conventional paradigms to inspire meaningful change.

Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of how churches can balance inner commitments with external challenges, explore innovative approaches to congregational leadership, and appreciate the rich, diverse expressions of faith within different community contexts. Join us for an enriching dialogue aimed at empowering church leaders and fostering transformation in today's ever-evolving world.

A link to the book we discussed is HERE.

Transcript link is HERE.

Unrelated to this particular podcast, I promised several months ago to share podcasts that animated me, and HERE is a great one on To Kill a Mockingbird.

Dennis email is HERE (and some Podcast services block it out. It is found HERE if they have blocked it and the HERE at the start of this is not linking. ).

The grid we discuss in the show and mentioned above is below ...