Church Leadership
8 Reasons I’ve Started Listening to Church Leadership Podcasts Lately
Listening will never replace reading. But podcasts have become a significant and valuable part of my church leadership learning experience.

Leaders are learners. It’s an axiom as old as leadership itself.

I used to say leaders are readers. But that’s never been entirely true. Because you don’t need to be an avid reader to be a constant learner.

Some learn by collaboration and conversation. Some by getting their hands dirty. Some are visual learners. Others have to make their own mistakes to find out where the edge of the fence is.

And some learn best by one of the oldest methods of all.

Listening.

We learn more by listening than we’re aware of. Many pre-literate cultures have a rich oral tradition. But even in our literate and technically advanced society, we still share family stories, hear sermons, sing hymns, and more.

We routinely take in more information through our ears than through words on a page.

We routinely take in more information through our ears than through words on a page.

I’ve always been a reader. I still am. Especially when it comes to sharpening my church leadership skills. But now, with the advent of new communication devices, I’ve added a way of learning about church leadership that I didn’t expect to like.

Podcasts.

Selfishly, I started listening to them after being interviewed on some of them. But now it’s become part of my learning routine.

Listening will never replace reading. Nothing can do that. But here are 8 reasons why listening to podcasts is a significant and valuable part of my church leadership learning experience.

1. They're free

Some of the best new ideas from some of the best leaders around.

For free.

‘nuff said.

2. They're portable

I can start listening to a podcast as I’m getting dressed in the morning, then keep listening as I drive.

As much as I love to read, books aren’t that portable.

3. They’re time-savers

What used to be lost time can turn into a learning opportunity.

If I’m early for an appointment, I can keep listening while I wait. Or while I shop. Or work out.

4. They're current

Leadership is changing fast. So fast that by the time some information makes it into a book, it’s old already.

This is one of the reasons I like blogs and podcasts for new and time-sensitive information. Like a written blog, a podcast can be recorded and uploaded almost in real time, getting cutting-edge information to me while it’s still fresh.

5. They're subscribable

Once I find a podcast I like, I hit the Subscribe button and never miss an episode.

I now have a world-class leadership learning library with me everywhere I go. And it updates automatically.

Why wouldn’t I take advantage of that?

6. They allow me to choose

Unlike the radio, I don’t have to listen to what someone else decides they want me to hear.

I can always go to the downloaded podcast library on my phone and listen, delete, even fast-forward through whatever I want.

7. They're easy to pass along

I’ve started using podcasts as a learning tool with our church leaders.

I’ve started using podcasts as a learning tool with our church leaders. It’s a great way to teach new principles, affirm long-standing ideas and start important conversations. And it doesn’t exclude leaders who aren’t avid readers.

All I have to do is click the podcast link and text or email it to the group.

8. There’s plenty of good stuff available

I’ve just started listening to podcasts, so I haven’t scratched the surface of what’s out there, but I’ve already found more than I can listen to. And more are coming out every day.

What Makes a Great Podcast?

So that’s why I’m listening to podcasts more, lately.

If you want to know what makes a podcast worth listening and subscribing to, check out my follow-up post, 8 Characteristics of a Great Podcast. It will be helpful for two types of people:

  1. If you’re wondering how to tell good podcasts from not-so-good ones – whatever your field of interest.
  2. If you’re a podcaster, this will be a blunt assessment of what works and what doesn’t. (You know, the stuff your friends want to tell you, but won’t.)

Plus, it gives you a list of my current Top Church Leadership Podcasts.

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The views of the blogger do not necessarily reflect those of Christianity Today.

January 30, 2017 at 2:46 AM

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