Church Leadership in Focus
Coaching, equipping and strengthening church leaders.
I Thessalonians 5:11: “Therefore encourage one other and build each other up as you are already doing (CSB).”
Episodes
128 episodes
Episode 104 - How pride can affect ministry, relationships, and decision-making.
In this episode Don explores the challenges of leading with humility, staying focused on God’s calling, and serving others faithfully. In this episode, Don discusses how pride can affect ministry, relationships, and decision-making—and ho...
Special Episode - Beyond Politics: Biblical Convictions and Constitutional Amendments
Why you should vote NO on two proposed constitutional amendments on marriage and abortion November 3 in Virginia.On this episode of Church Leadership in Focus, host Don Hicks welcomes Brandon Pickett, Director of Strategi...
Episode 103 - "Pastor or CEO? Understanding the Difference in Church Leadership."
In an age when churches are increasingly adopting business models and leadership strategies, many pastors find themselves asking: Am I called to be a shepherd or a CEO? In this episode of Church Leadership in Focus, Dr. Don Hick...
Episode 102 - A conversation of the Biblical Deacon and Ministry - Part 2
A Special Replay of Episode 5 parts 1 and 2 As a tribute to Georg Shaffer.It is with deep sorrow and Christian hope that we announce the passing of George Richard Shaffer, Sr., Director of Deacon and Leadership Tra...
Episode 101 - A conversation of the Biblical Deacon and Ministry - Part 1
A Special Replay of Episode 5 parts 1 and 2 As a tribute to Georg Shaffer.It is with deep sorrow and Christian hope that we announce the passing of George Richard Shaffer, Sr., Director of Deacon and Leadership Tra...
Episode 100 - "A Tribute to George Shaffer: Mentor, Leader, and Friend."
In this special episode of Church Leadership in Focus, host Don Hicks pays tribute to his dear friend and ministry partner, George Richard Shaffer, Sr., who entered the presence of the Lord on August 19, 2026. George devoted his life t...
Episode 99 - " God's Sustaining Grace: A Story of Faith Through Difficult Seasons " Part 2
2 Part SeriesIn Part 2 the conclusion of this episode of Church Leadership in Focus, Dr. Don Hicks sits down with Henok Girma Tibebu to discuss a journey marked by challenges, perseverance, and God's faithfu...
Episode 98 - " God's Sustaining Grace: A Story of Faith Through Difficult Seasons " Part 1
A 2 Part SeriesIn Part 1 of this episode of Church Leadership in Focus, Dr. Don Hicks sits down with Henok Girma Tibebu to discuss a journey marked by challenges, perseverance, and God's faithfulness. From caring ...
Episode 97 - " From Struggles to Victory: Dylan's Story of Faith, Friendship, and Hope "
In this inspiring episode, Dylan shares his powerful journey from hardship and personal struggles to a life marked by victory, healing, and renewed purpose. Through seasons of challenges, discouragement, and uncertainty, Dylan discovered the fa...
Episode 96 - "The Hidden Cost of Church Conflict on Pastors"
Church conflict affects more than congregations. It often leaves deep emotional, spiritual, relational, and leadership scars on the pastors called to shepherd God's people. In this episode of Church Leadership in Focus, Don Hicks explo...
Episode 95 - David's Story: From Childhood Without a Father to Following God's Plan- Part 3
Part 3 of a 3 Part seriesIn this compelling episode of Church Leadership in Focus, host Dr. Don Hicks sits down with pastor David Jones to explore a life journey marked by faith, perseverance, love, loss, an...
Episode 94 - David's Story: From Childhood Without a Father to Following God's Plan- Part 2
Part 2 of a 3 Part seriesIn this compelling episode of Church Leadership in Focus, host Dr. Don Hicks sits down with pastor David Jones to explore a life journey marked by faith, perseverance, love, loss, an...
Episode 93 - David's Story: From Childhood Without a Father to Following God's Plan- Part 1
A 3 Part seriesIn this compelling episode of Church Leadership in Focus, host Dr. Don Hicks sits down with pastor David Jones to explore a life journey marked by faith, perseverance, love, loss, and God's su...
Episode 92 - Signs You're Healing from Low Self-Worth - Part 2
Join us for part 2 the conclusion:Healing from low self-worth is rarely a sudden event. More often, it unfolds through small but significant changes in how we think, respond, lead, and relate to others. In this encouraging episode of
Episode 91 - Signs You're Healing from Low Self-Worth - Part 1
Healing from low self-worth is rarely a sudden event. More often, it unfolds through small but significant changes in how we think, respond, lead, and relate to others. In this encouraging episode of Church Leadership in Focus, host
Episode 90 - Rebuilding Self-Worth: Leading from Identity, Not Insecurity.
In this insightful episode of Church Leadership in Focus, host Don Hicks explores the critical issue of self-worth and leadership identity. Many pastors and ministry leaders faithfully serve others while privately wrestli...
Episode 89 - Carrying Out The Great Commission by Remotely Training Pastors.
Dr. Hicks shares a powerful personal testimony about an opportunity to teach at the Evangelical Theological Bible School in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. When circumstances prevented him from traveling, he prayerfully reimagined the mission—choosing i...
Episode 88 - “From Calling to Impact: The Journey of Willa Dean Montgomery”
In today’s episode of Church Leadership in Focus, host Dr. Don Hicks welcomes Willa Dean Montgomery for a deeply insightful conversation about calling, resilience, and leadership development.Willa’s journey is anything but ordinary. From...
Episode 87 - "From a Dream to a Calling: A Personal Journey of Faith, Family, and Care"
In this powerful episode of Church Leadership in Focus, Dr. Don Hicks sits down with Vickie Runk, co-founder of Runk & Pratt Senior Living Communities. Together, they explore how faith, family values, and servant leadership have sh...
Episode 86 - “We Find God When We Let Go: Surrendering the Ego in the Face of Life and Death”
In this powerful and reflective episode, Dr. Don Hicks explores the profound spiritual truth that we find God when we release our grip on self-centered living. Drawing from the candid remarks of a public figure facing terminal illness,...
Episode 85 - "What if one of the greatest missing elements in church leadership today is something no one is talking about?"
In this compelling episode of Church Leadership in Focus, Don Hicks confronts a deeply important reality: pastors are often leading without protection. While they faithfully preach, counsel, and shepherd others, they are simultaneously absorbin...
Episode 84 - “Shepherding the Flock: Lessons from the Front Lines of Pastoral Ministry” A conversion with Pastor Frank Gonzalez
In this episode, Dr. Don Hicks and Dr. Frank Gonzalez explore the realities of pastoral ministry. From sermon preparation to conflict resolution and leadership growth, this conversation provides practical and spiritual insight for pastors at ev...
Episode 83 - “From Calling to Ministry: The Life Journey of a Pastor”” A conversion with Pastor Frank Gonzalez"
In this deeply personal episode, Dr. Don Hicks sits down with Dr. Frank Gonzalezto explore the journey behind the calling. From life before Christ to salvation,marriage, family, and the call into ministry, this episode reveals how God
Episode 82 - Getting to know Paxton Bryant. A Liberty Journalism student.
On this episode of Church Leadership in Focus, host Dr. Don Hicks welcomes back Paxton Bryant, a student at Liberty University majoring in Digital Media,Television and minoring in Pastoral Ministry. Dr. Hicks and Paxton talk about their friends...
Episode 81 - Operational Integrity and Servanthood Leadership: A Conversation with Mark Brown President of Orange Sock
Many pastors are deeply trained in preaching, shepherding, and theology—but far less equipped to lead healthy financial and operational systems. Yet financial clarity, stewardship, and administrative integrity are not merely back‑office concern...