The central theme of this podcast episode revolves around the concept of spiritual leadership, specifically emphasizing the notion that genuine leadership should embody tenderness rather than authority. I assert that true leaders, as articulated by Peter, are characterized by their ability to care for others with compassion and spontaneity, devoid of ulterior motives such as obligation or ego. Furthermore, I explore the imperative of fostering a down-to-earth community where hierarchy is flattened, allowing both leaders and followers to engage authentically and without pretense. This episode advocates for a radical reimagining of leadership, urging us to prioritize presence and genuine connection over power dynamics. We conclude with actionable steps to cultivate this model of leadership in our daily interactions, thus aspiring to create an environment that reflects the values of humility and community.

Takeaways:

• The podcast emphasizes the importance of spiritual leadership characterized by tenderness rather than authority, highlighting the need for genuine care.
• Listeners are encouraged to adopt a down-to-earth approach to relationships, fostering honesty and removing pretense in interactions.
• The discussion reflects on the detrimental effects of control-oriented leadership, advocating for a model that prioritizes compassion and community.
• Listeners are invited to participate in a mission to share the audible word of God with a million individuals by the year 2028.
• The host promotes a resource called the ABC 123 Bible study method, designed to enhance personal Bible study experiences.
• A practical action tip is provided, urging individuals to practice tenderness in leadership and to simply be present with others.

Links referenced in this episode:

• voiceofgoddaily.com

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• voiceofgoddaily.com

The "Daily Bible Refresh" is presented each day by Rev. Dr. Brad Miller who has a goal of speaking a bit of the bible into two million ears (one million people) in three years (2025-2028).

He is the author of "The A, B, C-1,2,3 Bible Study Guide" Free to you by clicking HERE.

Brad served as a local church pastor for forty years and has a background in radio and podcasting. Moreover, he is a life-long student of The Bible.

He believes in the words of Jesus that “scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21)

The "Daily Bible Refresh" is available seven days a week by 6:00 am ET. The episodes are no longer than ten minutes long and are...

• Understandable: A reading from the New Testament (usually the Gospel) selected from the Revised Common Lectionary using "The Message" translation.
• Relatable: You will have a couple of "points to ponder" from the text which will relate to your life
• Applicable: Every episode includes a way you can take action based on the reading
• A recommended resource to help you go deeper in biblical study and spiritual direction.
• A prayer for your day.

A companion resource to the Voice of God Daily Podcast is the “ABC Bible Study Guide” available by clicking HERE.

The "Daily Bible Refresh" is available every day at VoiceofGodDaily.com on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all major podcast directories.

You can help Dr. Brad attain his goal of getting a bit of the bible into two million ears by subscribing to "Daily Bible Refresh" on Apple Podcasts, leaving a five-star rating, and writing a review. More importantly please share with your network of family and friends about the "Daily Bible Refresh".

Please make listening to the "Daily Bible Refresh" a part of your daily life.

Remember… “All scripture is God-breathed and useful”(2 Timothy 3:16)

Hello, my friend Dr. Brad Miller here with the Daily Bible Refresh.

This is your daily reading of the Bible from a progressive point of view.

In a bit I will read the New Testament lessons selected from the Revised Common Lectionary for this very day.

The reading is understandable.

I use the message version Relatable.

Please listen to the points to ponder and applicable with action steps you can take.

We pray and are done in less than 10 minutes.

It's all brought to you by voiceofgoddaily.com which is the home of your free personal Bible Study Guide, the ABC1, 23 Bible Study Method.

You can help by saving and subscribing to the podcast and tagging your friends.

Here's today's reading.

Reading today from 1 Peter 5:1:5 from the message he'll promote you at the right time I have a special concern for you church leaders.

I know what it's like to be a leader in on Christ's sufferings as well as the coming glory.

Here's my concern that you care for God's flock with all the diligence of a shepherd.

Not because you have to, but because you want to please God.

Not calculating what you can get out of it, but acting spontaneously, not bossily telling others what to do, but tenderly showing them the way.

When God, who is the best shepherd of all, comes out in the open with his rule, he'll see that you've done it right and commend you lavishly.

And you who are younger must follow your leaders.

But all of you, leaders and followers alike, are to be down to earth with each other.

For God has had it with the proud, but takes delight in just plain people.

Well, that ends the reading.

I love this one.

And let's just get into it.

Let's get into a couple points to ponder about this passage.

What I think is really profound.

So two things to ponder.

Point number one Real spiritual leadership looks like tenderness, not authority.

Peter gives us three contrasts here, and every single one of them dismantles the way power usually works.

Not because you have to, but because you want to.

Not calculating what you can get by acting spontaneous, but acting spontaneously.

Not bossily telling others what to do, but tenderly showing them the way.

Did you catch that word?

Tenderly?

That's Peter's leadership model.

Tenderness.

Progressive faith takes that seriously because we've seen what happens when the church gets this wrong.

When leadership becomes about control, about platforms, about who has the microphone and who has to sit down and listen.

People get hurt.

Whole communities get damaged.

Peter isn't describing a CEO model or a military chain of command.

He's describing a shepherd who walks ahead of the flock, not behind them with a stick.

And the motivation matters just as much as the method.

Not obligation, not profit, not ego.

Just genuine spontaneous care.

My wife and I have been married for 34 years, and I'll tell you the moments in our marriage when I've.

When I've led well or she's led me well as a husband or a dad.

There were never the moments when I was kind of like, taking charge and, you know, being macho.

They're the moments when I was tender or she was tender, when I showed up with presents instead of pronouncements, when I walked alongside instead of barking instructions from the couch.

My three kids are adults now, living their own amazing lives.

And the things that I think they remember.

The tender moments aren't the times when I had all the answers, when I just had presence, when I sat with them in the questions.

Point number two, down to earth with each other is the whole sermon.

Love that line.

It's my favorite line in this passage, says, all of you, leaders and followers alike, are to be down to earth with each other.

Peter flattens the hierarchy.

He spends four verses talking about leaders and followers, and then he says, but actually, everybody's on the same level.

Be down to earth.

Be just plain people.

God takes delight in just plain people.

Not impressive people, not powerful people, not people with the biggest platform or the loudest voice.

Just plain people who are honest about who they are and present to each other without pretense.

I see this on my cancer podcast.

When someone is sitting in a hospital room with a loved one, nobody cares about your title, your resume, that kind of thing.

All the pretense gets stripped away.

What matters is, are you here?

Are you real?

Are you down to earth enough just to sit here?

That's the kind of community Peter envisions.

And honestly, I think it's the kind of community most of us are starving for.

Some of those down to earth people I know are my granddaughters.

You know, when I'm playing with them or they tell or I tell them a dumb joke, they don't perform politeness.

They either laugh for real or they give me a look like grandpa, that one stinks.

That was awful.

No pretense, no hierarchy, just plain people being real with each other.

I think God delights in that more than we know.

Here's your actions tip this week.

Whether you're in a position of leadership or not, practice being down to earth with one person dropping any performance and dropping the need to be impressive or in control.

Just be plain, be present.

If you're in a leadership position at work or church family, try tenderness instead of authority in one thing you do this week, one interaction.

Show the way instead of telling the way.

You might be surprised how much people trust you when you stop trying to be above them and just walk beside them.

We're gonna come back and pray here in just a second.

Just a quick word that we have a resource for you called the ABC 123 Bible study method.

It's to help you with your home Bible study.

Pick it up at our website voiceofgoddaily.com let's pray God you delight in just plain people.

Teach us to lead with tenderness, walk in humility and stay down to earth with each other.

Amen.

My friend, I am delighted you chose to join me for today's reading.

The Daily Bible Refresh is completely listener supported.

I would be so grateful if you would go to voiceofgodddaily.com and share your gift of any amount.

Thanks much.

My name is Dr. Brad Miller and I'll be right here tomorrow with your Daily Bible Refresh.

Please subscribe and tag your friends until tomorrow.

Remember, God's loyal love doesn't run out.

His merciful love hasn't dried up, it's created new every morning.