On this episode of the Rusty George Podcast, Rusty sits down with Larry Osborne, more affectionately known as “Yoda” among Christian Leaders, to discuss what it means to Lead Like A Shepherd.
Larry Osborne is a pastor at North Coast Church in Vista CA. Under his leadership, the church has grown from 128 to over 13,000 on a weekend. Larry has a passion for leadership, spiritual formation, and discipleship. As a nationally recognized trainer of leaders and pastors and church planters, he travels extensively, speaking at conferences and mentoring events. North Coast Church has been acclaimed as one of the most influential and innovative churches in America. Known for pioneering the concepts of sermon-based small groups, pastoral teaching teams, and video venues, its fingerprints are found on churches throughout the world.
Good stuff! No disagreement just some questions/food for thought?!?
Seems that everything begins with the “signing up for service” and then hopefully (pipe dream it seems) volunteers would build relationships from that. I know it happens but it seems to me that if we’re not discipling, teaching, encouraging and holding folks accountable (as any family should do) as to how people can build loving relationships (along with its cousin, fellowship, both are disciplines…as I’ve never found anyone yet who was born selfless and I certainly wasn’t and needed to learn what true relationship is), first and foremost, then it is not likely to happen much just out of our service…we’ve been doing the “service first” model for decades and relationships continue to flounder?
Difference between leadership and discipleship…like what Larry shared as in Christ’s modeling (Jn 13:1-5; 12-17) they are inseparable? Also reflected in Vine and branches (Jn 15: 1-17) as Christ will ultimately bring the fruit and leaders (faithful disciples) will emerge in His will and timing as we abide/endure in The Vine.
Love his connection to his children in ministry in the culture!!!
Would love to hear yours and Larry’s take on servant-leadership beginning in the marriage/family before stepping into that role in our churches…1 Tim 3:4-5? I’ve found so many churches and church leaders (lay and vocational) that have agreed when I’ve shared that it looks as though we’ve gathered most of our leaders in churches from those who were successful/influential in culture and asked them to come join the church board/staff to help do the same…and they usually do build a successful church while many relationships (one of Larry’s key points) continue to struggle and often fail.
Thanks and pray you are well! Make it a great day in The Lord!