FHU Leadership Podcast
The podcast dedicated to developing and encouraging spiritual leaders for the Kingdom. The podcast is produced by the Center for Excellence in Spiritual Leadership at Freed-Hardeman University. Contact Josh Ketchum at jketchum@fhu.edu with questions or feedback.
The podcast dedicated to developing and encouraging spiritual leaders for the Kingdom. The podcast is produced by the Center for Excellence in Spiritual Leadership at Freed-Hardeman University. Contact Josh Ketchum at jketchum@fhu.edu with questions or feedback.
Episodes

4 hours ago
4 hours ago
Host Dr. Josh Ketchum interviews FHU President David Shannon and Dean of the College of Bible Dr. Justin Rogers on a new program to encourage, educate, and equip church leaders. The program called "The Shepherd's Path" is in its developmental stages but promises to be a great opportunity for current and future elders to gain valuable experience as they work with a cohort for a two year period. The website link is https://fhu.edu/academics/undergraduate/centers-of-excellence/the-shepherds-path/
For an Leader's Episode Guide to use with groups for this episode email gradstudies@fhu.edu.

Thursday Mar 19, 2026
S7E7 - Jon Paul Gulledge on Developing Non-anxious Leaders
Thursday Mar 19, 2026
Thursday Mar 19, 2026
Host Dr. Josh Ketchum interviews Jon Paul Gulledge on a recent project he did with leaders from their congregation to develop their conviction, missional focus, and non-anxious presence. They defined their values and discussed harmful responses to challenging situations. They discuss the leadership theory of Bowen Family System theory and its application to congregational settings.
For the Episode Guide for group discussion and summary of content email . . . gradstudies@fhu.edu
Here is a list of family systems books reference in the episode.
Family Systems Theory Reading List – Josh Ketchum (jketchum@fhu.edu)
For beginning I would start with Steinke for theory understanding and congregational application. The Herrington book on the “The Leader’s Journey” or Creech book “Family Systems and Congregational Life” are both good introduction and applications as well. The two Bolsinger books are great for focusing on the leader and the concept of adaptive change and transformation. The foundational texts that are more difficult are by Friedman.
Steinke, P. L. (2006). Congregational Leadership in Anxious Times: Being Calm and Courageous No Matter What. Lanham, Maryland, Rowman & Littlefield
Steinke, P. L. (2019). Uproar: Calm Leadership in Anxious Times
Bolsinger, Tod (2015). Canoeing the Mountains: Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory.
Bolsinger, Tod (2020) Tempered Resilience: How Leaders are Formed in the Crucible of Change.
Herrington, Jim; Trisha Taylor, and R. Robert Creech (2003, 2020) The Leader’s Journey: Accepting the Call to Personal and Congregational Transformation.
Creech, R. R. (2019). Family Systems and Congregational Life: A Map for Ministry. Grand Rapids, Michigan, Baker Academic
Cuss, Steve (2019). Managing Leadership Anxiety: Yours and Theirs.
Friedman, Edwin (1999, 2007, 2017) A Failure of Nerve: Leadership in the Age of Quick Fix.
Friedman, Edwin (1985) Generation to Generation: Family Process in Church and Synagogue.
[I have not read these last two]
Gilbert, R. M. (2006). Extraordinary Leadership: Thinking Systems, Making a Difference. Leading Systems Press
Brown, J. & Errington, L. (eds. 2019). Bowen Family Systems Theory in Christian Ministry: Grappling with Theory and its Application Through a Biblical Lens. The Family Systems Practice

Thursday Mar 12, 2026
S7E6 - Stan Dauck - Serving as an Elder and Minister
Thursday Mar 12, 2026
Thursday Mar 12, 2026
Host Dr. Josh Ketchum interviews his mentor and friend Stan Dauck on long-term ministry and the challenges of serving both as an elder and minister at the same church. Stan has been preaching with the Bernie Church of Christ in Bernie, Missouri for 38 years serving as an elder for 18 of those years.
To receive the Leader's Guide to this Episode send an email to gradstudies@fhu.edu.

Thursday Mar 05, 2026
S7E5 - Matthew Morine on Setting Vision for the Congregation
Thursday Mar 05, 2026
Thursday Mar 05, 2026
Host Dr. Josh Ketchum interviews Dr. Matthew Morine from the Castle Rock Church of Christ on the church's vision. He discusses the minister's role in promoting the vision and the importance of a vision for a congregation.

Thursday Feb 26, 2026
S7E4 - Matthew Morine on the Value of Reading to Leaders
Thursday Feb 26, 2026
Thursday Feb 26, 2026
Host Dr. Josh Ketchum interviews Dr. Matthew Morine preacher at the Castle Rock Church of Christ on the value of reading for leaders. Matthew shares his reading tips along with his favorite books and lessons from them for leaders.
Here are the books he recommended.
Overcoming the Darkside of Leadership - by Gary McIntosh
Dear Chairman by Jeff Gramm
Anti-fragile - by Nassim Taleb and Joe Ochman
When the Center Does Not Hold by David Brubaker
Making Shifts Without Making Waves - by Edward Hammett and James Pierce

Thursday Feb 19, 2026
S7E3 - Adam Noles - Understanding Church Size and Transitions
Thursday Feb 19, 2026
Thursday Feb 19, 2026
Host Dr. Josh Ketchum interviews FHU alum and preacher at the Maple Hill Church of Christ in Lebanon, TN on understanding church sizes and the transitions required by leadership. In this episode they discuss how churches can break size barriers for growth, how ministers and leaders must shift leadership philosophy in when changing size churches, and how transitions are challenging.

Thursday Feb 12, 2026
S7E2 - Jerrie Barber on Dealing with Conflict
Thursday Feb 12, 2026
Thursday Feb 12, 2026
Host Dr. Josh Ketchum interviews long-time gospel preacher and interim minister Jerrie Barber on his experiences and wisdom with how to deal with conflict. Jerrie share two books of which he and his wife Gail have written which can be found here.
Between Preachers - Jerrie Barber
Fleecy Clouds - Gail Barber
Jerrie also has a weekly podcast that is exceptional. You can listen to it here or subscribe wherever you get your favorite podcasts. It is call "Gleaning Mustard Seeds"

Tuesday Feb 03, 2026
S7E1 - Jason Pierce - How Churches Can Support Missionaries
Tuesday Feb 03, 2026
Tuesday Feb 03, 2026
Host Dr. Josh Ketchum interviews FHU alum and current missionary-in-residence on the challenges of foreign mission work and what local leadership can do to support and encourage their missionary.

FHU Leadership Podcast
This podcast is about spiritual and church leadership. Aimed primarily at elders, deacons, and ministers in the church. The podcast is produced by the Center for Excellence in Spiritual Leadership at Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, Tennessee. You can learn more about the center at www.supportingspiritualleadership.com







