Podcast

Where Ya From?

Leading with Excellence with Nicole Martin

Nicole Martin stops by to share some of the lessons of servant leadership she’s learned behind the pulpit, in the classroom, and in her new role with Christianity Today.

As someone who is still processing what it looks like to be a leader in ministry spaces that aren’t always the most welcoming, Nicole Martin has changed her definition of “excellence” multiple times over the years. Yet in the last few years, this journey has invited her to ask tough questions of herself, over and over, that have reshaped her definition of excellence: “Am I leading in the way that pleases God, not me? Am I willing to possibly suffer, get down on my knees, and serve others if that’s what my leadership requires?”

Guest Bio:

Nicole Massie Martin, PhD, holds degrees from Vanderbilt University, Princeton Theological Seminary, and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. She is the chief impact officer at Christianity Today and founder and executive director of Soulfire International Ministries. She is an accomplished writer and author, serves on various boards and councils, and leads the Grow Ministry at Kingdom Fellowship AME Church in Maryland. 

Notes & Quotes:

  • “I think everyone has to do their own work of seeking God through the Word, of asking the Holy Spirit for revelation. And what you’ll find is that the gospel is full of examples of ways that God builds our identity in him beyond the confines of the world.”
  • “But redemptive leadership says actually who you are and who Christ has called you to be is represented by your lows. The cross becomes the core of our identity.”
  • “The world says power makes you who you are. That needs to be crucified. The world says perfection makes you who you are. That needs to be crucified. When we crucify the things that the world says make us great, then we get to become who God calls us to be—people shaped according to the cross. People who are dependent on Christ.”
  • “The depth of your integrity shows up in how you handle your low moments. And we don’t learn that from a generation. We learned that from Jesus, who says, ‘I am Lord. Not because I came in riding on a horse. I am Lord because I died on the cross. Because I literally went to the depths for you. And if you want to be like me, then you’ve got to take on what I take on.’”

Links Mentioned:

  • FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT
  • Learn more about Martin’s work with Christianity Today.
  • Get your copy of Martin’s book, Made to Lead, on Amazon.
  • Visit the Voices website to sign up for emails. Get new episodes sent straight to your email. 
  • Tell us how much you love Where Ya From? by rating us five stars and leaving us a review
  • Check out Voices from Our Daily Bread Ministries.
  • Follow Voices on Instagram.

Verses Mentioned:

  • Romans 8:28 
  • John 15:13
  • John 20:11–18
  • Romans 16:1–2
  • 1 Timothy 2:11
  • 1 Corinthians 11:5

Our Latest

The Bulletin

Young Republican Texts, Anglican Split, and George Santos Released

Controversial Republican texts, Anglican Communion splits, and George Santos’s sentence is commuted.

Review

Do Evangelical Political Errors Rise to the Level of Heresy?

A Lutheran pastor identifies five false teachings that threaten to corrupt the church’s public witness.

Highlights and Lowlights of 1957

In its first full year of publication, CT looked at Civil Rights, Cold War satellites, artificial insemination, and carefully planned evangelism.

News

Will There Be a Christian Super Bowl Halftime Show?

Conservatives suggest country and Christian artist alternatives for game day.

News

As Madagascar’s Government Topples, Pastors Call for Peace

Gen Z–led protests on the African island nation led to a military takeover.

News

Amid Fragile Cease-Fire, Limited Aid Reaches Gazans

Locals see the price of flour rise and fall as truce is strained and some borders remain closed.

News

Federal Job Cuts Hit Home as Virginia Picks Its Next Governor

Meanwhile, the GOP candidate draws from Trump’s playbook to focus on transgender issues in schools. 

Religious OCD and Me

Scrupulosity latches onto the thing we hold most dear—our relationship with God.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube