The Influence Magazine Podcast is a chance for you to hear from the premiere voices in church leadership…voices who are redefining what church leadership looks like. It's the audio companion to Influence Magazine, a resource full of practical tools, informative news and powerful biblical principals aimed at empowering all leaders. Visit us online at InfluenceMagazine.com
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Welcome to the Influence Podcast! I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host.
"Honesty matters, and people care a great deal about it," writes Christian Miller. Yet we are facing an unprecedented erosion of honesty today — what I call an honesty crisis. Indeed, we are facing not just one crisis, but a variety of honesty crises in different parts of our society. … Fortunately, in many cases, there are concrete steps we can take to turn the tide."
In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk about those steps with Christian Miller. He is the A. C. Reid Professor of Philosophy at Wake Forest University, president of the Society of Christian Philosophers, and author of The Honesty Crisis: Preserving Our Most Treasured Virtue in an Increasingly Dishonest World, published by Oxford University Press.
Sponsor Ad This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by Gospel Publishing House, distributors of Trusted with Treasureby Assemblies of God General Secretary Brad Kesler.
Just as nautical charts and lighthouses guide captains safely past hazards, this handbook on ministerial ethics will help equip you to build healthy relationships, avoid unwise behaviors, and serve with integrity and the highest ethical standards.
For more information about Trusted with Treasure visit GospelPublishingHouse.com.
Show Notes
00:00 — Introduction and Sponsor Ad
02:25 — What is honesty, and why do you think we're having an "honesty crisis"?
07:30 — How honest are most people typically, and why do we lie?
13:24 — What's the "online infidelity" crisis, and what can we do about it?
25:58 — What is the "fake news and politics" crisis, and what can we do about it?
35:30 — What is "sermon plagiarism," why is it wrong, and what can we do about it??
46:23 — Pastors sometimes fall to the temptations of "online infidelity" and "celebrity." What's going on here and what can we do about it?
50:44 — As a Christian philosopher, what general advice would you give pastors about helping their congregations become more honest both individually and corporately??
57:40 — What are you reading right now that is interesting, helpful, and/or personally challenging?
1:00:16 — Conclusion
426. Holy Worldliness?
Episode 426
Thursday, May 21, 2026 • Duration 47:35
Welcome to the Influence Podcast! I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host.
"Paul didn't want believers to detach themselves from life in this world," writes Nijay Gupta. "He didn't want 'otherworldliness' only. He also didn't want them to be preoccupied with only temporary and fleeting things, 'cheap worldliness.' He wanted believers to imitate Christ and walk in the Spirit here and now — 'holy worldliness'."
In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Gupta about what this means, based on his new book.
Nijay Gupta, Ph.D., is Julius R. Mantey Professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary and author of Paul for the World, published by Brazos Press.
Sponsor Ad This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by Gospel Publishing House, distributors of What Paul Really Taught About Women in Ministry.
In this insightful study, New Testament scholar Waldemar Kowalski carefully examines the historical and cultural contexts behind Paul's most challenging statements about women in ministry. By placing these passages within their proper setting, Kowalski helps readers see a clearer picture of Paul's intent.
The result is both thoughtful and compelling: Paul's message about women in ministry was ultimately one of affirmation, not restriction.
For more information about What Paul Really Taught About Women in Ministry visit GospelPublishingHouse.com.
Show Notes
00:00 — Introduction and Sponsor Ad
01:49 — For many listeners, "holy worldliness" is an oxymoron. So, what do you mean by that phrase?
07:45 — Why do you think Paul was a good exemplar of holy worldliness?
11:03 — How does Paul inform Christians on the topic of ethnic equality?
417. Spirit-Empowered Multiplication
Episode 417
Thursday, February 19, 2026 • Duration 32:09
Welcome to the Influence Podcast! I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host.
Ministers hear a lot about church multiplication these days. Sometimes, the phrase is little more than a synonym for church planting. Other times, it refers to multisite ministry in which one church exists in many locations.
"Multiplication isn't just about strategy or structure," Gerad Strong writes, however. "It's about Spirit-empowered imagination. When we lead through the power of the Holy Spirit, we're not simply managing what is — we're awakening to what could be."
In this episode, I talk to Gerad Strong about how ministers can develop this Spirit-empowered imagination.
Strong is director of Leadership and Training for the Church Multiplication Network of the Assemblies of God. His new book is Multiplication Mindset: How Spirit-Empowered Leaders Build People, Not Just Platforms, forthcoming from Gospel Publishing House.
Sponsor Ad
This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of As In Heaven.
This six-week study is designed to help you move beyond fear or formality and step into confident, life-giving prayer. Each week unpacks a portion of the Lord's Prayer, pairing Jesus' words with reflection questions, group discussion prompts, and a Bible memory verse to guide your journey.
Welcome to the Influence Podcast! I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host.
"In the last sixty years in the USA, some churches shifted strategies and adopted a model that focused almost exclusively on numerical expansion," writes Marroquin. "New sanctuaries and program adjustments were made with the goal of reaching the unchurched. And praise God, the model produced some good results."
She goes to note that this model replaced Sunday school and discipleship groups to make room for more worship services. "Somehow, churches believed they would still be making disciples without intentionally placing emphasis on God's Word. The results are in: We have many churches filled with followers of Jesus who desperately need help."
In this episode, I talk to Marroquin about what churches can do to refocus on discipleship, based on her new book, A Disciple's Growth: 7 Dimensions of Spiritual Formation.
Elloy Marroquin is an ordained minister and national director of Christian Education, Discipleship, and Family Ministries for the Assemblies of God.
My conversation with her begins after a brief word from our sponsor.
SPONSOR AD
This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of Europe 365 Daily Devotions.
Europe 365 is a powerful year-long devotional written by Assemblies of God World Missions missionaries serving on the front lines of evangelism. You will be inspired by devotional thoughts and dynamic testimonies of the Holy Spirit in action, answers to prayer, miracles, divine protection, supernatural provision, the call to missions, and more.
Welcome to the Influence Podcast! I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host.
In this episode, I talk to Melissa Alfaro about her new book, The Heart of a Pathfinder: Charting Paths for the Next Generation.
"A pathfinder's greatest motivation is not the sustainability of their legacy but their ability to launch members of the next generation into their call," Alfaro writes.
"Obstacles don't discourage pathfinders. They see obstacles as opportunities to clear a path so the next generation can step into their purpose. Pathfinders take risks. They path the price because they realize that their greatest legacy is not what they have built with their hands, but the paths that they have opened for others with their feet."
Alfaro is senior pastor of Tab Church in Houston, Texas, along with her husband Jay. She is an executive presbyter of the Assemblies of God, as well as chair of the Network of Women Ministers.
SPONSOR AD
This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by Gospel Publishing House, distributors of A Disciple's Growth.
Get a clear and practical roadmap for following Jesus with depth and purpose. Drawing from Scripture, the power of the Holy Spirit, and real-life examples, discover seven key dimensions of spiritual formation—Bible, Holy Spirit, missions, prayer, worship, service, and generosity—that shape believers into fully devoted disciples.
01:58 — W hat was the impetus for writing this book?
414. A New AG History
Episode 414
Thursday, January 29, 2026 • Duration 53:51
Welcome to the Influence Podcast! I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host.
"The founders of the Assemblies of God believed they were experiencing a significant historical moment," writes Daniel Isgrigg. "They recognized God was moving by His Spirit to enable them to evangelize the world. Leaders were set apart by their understanding that this mission could not be accomplished without the Spirit and without each other."
In this episode, I talk to Daniel Isgrigg about his new book, The Assemblies of God: Our Story, from which this quotation comes.
Isgrigg is associate professor of the History of Spirit-empowered Christianity at Oral Roberts University and an ordained Assemblies of God minister. He is also author of Imagining the Future: The Origin, Development, and Future of Assemblies of God Eschatology and Aspects of Assemblies of God Origins. I interviewed him about these books in Episodes 277 and 359, respectively.
My conversation with Daniel Isgrigg begins after a brief word from our sponsor.
Sponsor This episode of the Influence Podcast is brought to you by Gospel Publishing House, publishers of A Disciple's Growth: 7 Dimensions of Spiritual Formation.
In A Disciple's Growth, Elly Marroquin provides a clear and practical roadmap for following Jesus with depth and purpose. Drawing from Scripture, the power of the Holy Spirit, and real-life examples, she outlines seven key dimensions of spiritual formation—Bible, Holy Spirit, missions, prayer, worship, service, and generosity—that shape believers into fully devoted disciples.
I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. In this episode, I talk to Mark Hausfeld about how ministers can move toward physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health — and why they should.
Ministry is demanding, even for Jesus. Matthew 8 tells us "large crowds followed him." Jesus goes on to heal a leper, resurrect a servant, cure Peter's mother-in-law, exorcize demonized persons, and calm a storm on the Sea of Galilee.
The detail that strikes me is Jesus falling asleep during a storm (8:24). No wonder! He was tired.
If ministry wore out Jesus, it will wear out us too. We need to be rested and ready to do God's work. I'll talk about how with Mark Hausfeld after a brief word from our sponsor.
SPONSOR
This episode of the Influence Podcast is brought to you by Gospel Publishing House, distributors of The Holy Spirit in the Life of the Discipler.
The Holy Spirit in the Life of the Discipler equips you with an understanding of the Holy Spirit's role in your life. As a resource for both laypeople and ministry leaders, it also imparts practical insight for anyone discipling others in receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit.
For more information about The Holy Spirit in the Life of the Discipler visit GospelPublishingHouse.com.
SHOW NOTES
412. AG State of the Union 2026
Episode 412
Thursday, January 15, 2026 • Duration 36:47
Welcome to the Influence Podcast!
I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. In this episode, I talk to Doug Clay about the state of the Assemblies of God as the New Year begins. Clay is AG general superintendent and author of Conversations with My Younger Self and 13: Leadership Is More Than Luck, both published by Gospel Publishing House.
"Almost every major denomination is losing members at an incredibly rapid pace," he writes, with the exception of two small denominations. "But there is a major denomination that was on an upward trajectory for a very long time and stood as an aberration in the larger Protestant landscape: The Assemblies of God. They experienced very consistent growth over the last couple of decades."
Burge focused on steady AG growth over several decades, but in his editorial for the Winter 2026 issue of Influence, Doug Clay notes that the AG experienced growth between 2023–24, the last year for which there is a complete statistical report.
"From 2023–24, adherence rose 2.5%, Spirit baptisms 3.9%, membership 4.1%, in-person attendance 6.2%, conversions 10%, water baptisms 12.1%, and new church charters 33.6%," he writes.
Every year, the President gives a State of the Union Address to Congress. Think of this podcast as an AG State of the Union for 2026.
411. What To Read in 2026
Episode 411
Thursday, January 8, 2026 • Duration 01:18:15
Welcome to the Influence Podcast!
I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. In this episode, I talk to Allen Tennison about what Pentecostal ministers should read in 2026. Tennison serves as theological counsel to The General Counsel of the Assemblies of God.
Reading may not be at or even near the top of many ministers' new year's resolutions, but it should be. In an August 1760 letter to John Premboth, John Wesley wrote:
"What has exceedingly hurt you in time past, nay, and I fear to this day, is want of reading.
"I scarce ever knew a preacher read so little. And perhaps, by neglecting it, you have lost the taste for it. Hence your talent in preaching does not increase. It is just the same as it was seven years ago. It is lively, but not deep; there is little variety, there is no compass of thought. Reading only can supply this, with meditation and daily prayer. You wrong yourself greatly by omitting this. You can never be a deep preacher without it, any more than a thorough Christian."
Even if you agree with Wesley, questions remain: How long should I read every day? What should I read? How do I balance reading with my other pastoral responsibilities? Those are the questions Tennison and I discuss after a brief word from our sponsor.
IN THIS PODCAST
0:00:00 — Introduction
0:01:34 — Sponsor Copy
0:02:38 — How does reading help ministers deepen their preaching and spiritual formation?
0:07:18 — How much time should ministers devote to reading, and what's a realistic goal for how many books they should read?
0:14:43 — What kinds of knowledge should ministers seek in books?
0:20:00 — What Bible study books — commentaries, biblical theologies, reference works, etc. — would you recommend?
0:37:14 — What theology books would you recommend?
0:48:55 — What histories and biographies do you recommend?
1:03:10 — What books about ethics and pastoral theology would you recommend?
410. Suffering Pentecostally
Episode 410
Thursday, December 18, 2025 • Duration 47:43
"Jesus is up front with us that there is a cost to following him," writes Craig Keener.
"From God's side, the gift of him in him is free—or rather, already paid for by what Christ suffered for us. But we live in a world that challenges our faith, so from the world's side our faith is bound to cost us hardships. Yet God empowers us by his Spirit to maintain our witness for Christ in this world no matter what."
In this episode of the podcast, I talk to Keener about how Pentecostal Christians should think about suffering. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host.
Craig Keener is F.M. and Ada Thompson Professor of Biblical Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary, an ordained Assemblies of God minister, and author of Suffering: Its Meaning for the Spirit-Filled Life, published by Baker Academic.
NOTE: This will be the final Influence Podcast of 2025. Episode 411 — the first podcast of 2026 — will drop on Thursday, January 8.
—————
This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of Open When . . . Parenting through Everyday Moments.
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For more information about Open When . . . Parenting through Everyday Moments visit MyHealthyChurch.com.
20:21 — What does a first-century Roman have to say to 21st-century Americans about economics?
26:02 — Paul rarely if ever used the Greek terms for friendship. So, what does he have to say about a topic he seemingly wrote nothing about?
30:33 — What does Paul say to us about sports?
38:08 In your opinion as a seminary professor, what is the spiritual and intellectual value of doing research for yourself? Do you have concerns about ministers using AI?
44:58 — What are you reading right now that is interesting, helpful, and/or personally challenging?
46:18 — Conclusion
00:00 — Introduction and Sponsor Ad
02:04 — What is "multiplication," as you use the term in your book?
02:48 — Tell us a little about your own journey with multiplication, as this informs what you write about in the book.
07:48 — What are the essential elements of a multiplication mindset?
12:28 — What is the foundation of multiplication?
19:13 — How does growth begin with maximizing what you already have? And what role does strategic thinking play?
20:48 — What are the traditional metrics of ministry, and what should they be?
26:49 — What resources does CMN provide for ministers and churches that are considering church planting, church multiplication, church revitalization?
30:31 — What are you reading right now that is interesting, helpful, and/or personally challenging?
31:17 — Conclusion
SHOW NOTES
00:00 — Introduction and Sponsor Ad
02:12 — Why did an emphasis on numerical growth displace the emphasis on discipleship depth, and what have the consequences been for American churches?
04:07 — What are the seven dimensions? And how did you arrive at these seven dimensions?
10:53 — How do the seven dimensions relate to Jesus?
16:19 — How can pastors and other church leaders assess (1) how they're doing personally as disciples as well as (2) how their churches discipleship efforts are going?
25:18 — What advice would you give pastors and other church leaders for implementing new discipleship programs or revising existing ones?
28:10 — What are some of the resources the AG provides, whether in terms of curriculum, training, books, etc.?
36:49 — What are you reading right now that is interesting, helpful, and/or personally challenging?
38:12 — Conclusion
04:25 — What is a pathfinder, and how is a pathfinder different from other ways of describing leadership?
09:43 — You write, "There are three areas that the enemy uses to cause us to camp out in the shadows and stop the flow of God's presence in the life of a leader: comfort, fear, and offense." Expand on that insight.
15:02 — Talk about the kinds of things leaders need to think and do when bad stuff interrupts life.
20:15 — Are ministers embarrassed to admit they have personal things that interrupt their lives?
23:01 — What lessons should we take from Nehemiah during the seasons of ministry when we face obstacles in ministry?
28:50 — How do we use our unique voice for Kingdom purposes, and who are the "five people every leader needs in their life" that you mention?
37:08 — What types of resources does the Network of Women Ministers provide?
41:35 — What are you reading right now that is interesting, helpful, and/or personally challenging?
42:44 — Conclusion
Show Notes
00:00 — Introduction and Sponsor Ad
03:13 — Why should Assemblies of God ministers be interested in church history generally and AG history specifically?
08:43 — How is your new history of the Assemblies of God similar to and different from previous AG histories?
14:27 — Along with Azusa Street, what are the various streams of Christianity that flowed into the AG.
21:35 — What are the three or four major theological controversies that helped refine AG identity?
32:48 — How does the commitment to evangelism and missions explain AG growth and diversification?
37:03 — What are three or four major ways in which the Assemblies of God has changed over the years? And how has it remained the same?
45:57 — What are some things that people routinely misunderstand about the AG, whether inside or outside the Movement?
50:32 — What are you reading right now that is interesting, helpful, and/or personally challenging?
52:58 — Conclusion
00:00 — Introduction and Sponsor Ad
01:40 — Why is wholeness of body, mind, soul, and spirit necessary?
04:25 — How does physical health or illness impact our ministries, and how do we get healthier?
14:38 — Why should ministers commit to lifelong learning, and what are ways to do that?
23:39 — How does emotional messed-up-ness derail ministry, and how can ministers get back on track?
28:55 — What is spiritual formation?
34:34 — What is spiritual direction, and why is it necessary for pastors?
40:36 — Tell us a little about the certificate in spiritual direction offered by the Institute for Ministerial Wholeness through the auspices of Assemblies of God Theological Seminary.
44:54 — What are you reading right now that is interesting, helpful, and/or personally challenging?
49:15 — Conclusion
SHOW NOTES
00:00 — Introduction
02:08 — Why is the Assemblies of God growing?
07:00 — How do we balance church growth with the fact that outward success isn't a reliable measure of the Church's strength?
10:16 — The AG in the United States is having a remarkable run, but what can you tell us about what's happening in AG churches around the world that don't share our experience?
13:47 — What new ministry initiatives is the AG pursuing this year?
20:33 — Update listeners on the progress of the building renovations of the national office.
24:10 — What headwinds are the AG facing, and what are the best Spirit-empowered practices for responding to them?
30:03 — Based on your recent sabbatical, make the case for ministers scheduling regular times for rest and recovery.
33:50 — What are you reading right now that's interesting, helpful, and/or personally challenging?
36:03 — Conclusion
1:08:07 — What books on preaching and church administration would you recommend?
1:15:36 — Conclusion
SPONSOR COPY
This episode of the Influence Podcast is brought to you by Gospel Publishing House, distributors of The Holy Spirit in the Life of the Discipler.
The Holy Spirit in the Life of the Discipler equips you with an understanding of the Holy Spirit's role in your life. As a resource for both laypeople and ministry leaders, it also imparts practical insight for anyone discipling others in receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit.
