Unscripted with IMF Leaders – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode of Unscripted with IMF Leaders, we sit down with Dan Hall—a devoted evangelical minister, former Minnesota Senator, and a man whose life work sits at the powerful crossroads of faith and public service.

With over 40 years of experience in ministry, education, and politics, Dan shares his journey from the pulpit to the Senate floor and how his deep commitment to Christ has shaped his advocacy for religious freedom.

We explore his work as a political chaplain to Minnesota’s leaders and the heart behind The Truth Report— a faith-forward publication reaching thousands across the state. Dan opens up about the challenges and victories of bringing prayer into politics, what it means to lead with biblical truth and why his guiding motto—“To increase Him in us”—continues to inspire his mission.

If you’re passionate about leadership and the call to serve this conversation will challenge and encourage you to think differently about the role of the Church in the public square.

Our guest in this episode is a Rev. Robert “Rob” Anderson, missionary and founder of International Mission Ministries: A support and service ministry to missionaries, and their families, around the world and in the United States. 

In this episode, Rob shares the staggering truth of the missionary call and His vision through International Missions Ministries as followed:

With the Lord Jesus Christ as our guide, and us as His hands and feet, we will go into all the world to support and serve Christian missionaries and their families in ways that will empower and encourage them to accomplish the call that God has placed on their lives.

"Go ye into all the World" We at I.M.M. believe that in this process missionaries can experience a refreshing and renewal in their ministry calling and in their personal and family relationships, to empower, encourage and strengthen them in the Lord so they can continue to fulfill the Great Commission and complete the call that God has placed on their lives.

Become a partner today: Click here

Rob’s Contact Information: 
(612) 540-9545
imm.roba@gmail.com

Join us for an engaging conversation with Michael A. Rivera Jr., MDiv, BCC, CPES, the CPE Director and Civilian Chaplain Endorser at IMF. In this episode, Michael shares his some of his personal journey as a chaplain and discusses the exciting Clinical Pastoral Education Program offered by IMF.

We have partnered with the Institute for Clinical Pastoral Training (ICPT) to launch our CPE center. The program is distance learning, leveraging technology, and is accredited-recognized by the US Department of Education. At IMF, we believe that every ministry member (not just Chaplains) can benefit from at least one unit of CPE.

To inquire for CPE, visit the CPE Center webpage and fill out the “Enroll in a CPE Unit” form. If you have any questions please reach out to Michael at michael@imfserves.org. Michael will be happy to assist you with the registration process and address any questions you may have.

Podcast Guest Links
CPE Center: www.imfserves.org/cpecenter

Unscripted with IMF is available on:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0HQARE9Ax4skTZvdWB2KMl?si=5c98ff0e0a82425b&nd=1
iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-unscripted-with-imf-108080352/
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1669111563
Podcast Addict: https://us1.admin.mailchimp.com/campaigns/show?id=10344261
Youtube: http://youtube.com/@imfserves

IMFServes Socials: 
Instagram (@IMFServes) 
Facebook (facebook.com/IMFserves) 
YouTube (@IMFServes)

In today's episode, we have the privilege of hosting a renowned author, speaker, and expert in the megachurch world, Warren Bird. Join us as Warren shares insights from his latest book on Team Resilience. Listen to explore the intriguing question: What could God do if every member of a team was operating at their best, supporting one another, fostering a high-trust environment, and achieving peak effectiveness? Get tuned in for a conversation that will inspire, challenge, and reshape your perspective on team dynamics and resilience.

Warren Bird, Ph.D., researches cutting-edge churches and works with their leaders to multiply their evangelistic and disciplemaking impact. He is widely recognized as among the nation’s leading students, researchers and writers about megachurches.

He has authored or co-authored over 30 books, receiving several awards along the way. For example, he received the prestigious Gold Medallion Award, the top honor given by the international trade association for Christian publishers. He has also contributed collaborative chapters or sections to 7 other books. He has published almost 200 magazine articles and more than 30 major research reports. He has served on advisory boards for several magazines and several other book projects.

As an ordained minister, he served on staff for 11 years at Princeton (N.J.) Alliance Church, an innovative church with a worship attendance approaching 2,000. Other pastoral experience includes leading a C&MA church-planting team for four years. He has also served as a long-time regularly contributing faculty member at Alliance Theological Seminary teaching in the D. Min Program.

Today he is Vice President of Research and Equipping at the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA), the nation’s oldest and largest nonprofit accrediting agency designed to enhance trust and certify integrity in Christ-centered churches and ministries.
 
Podcast Guest Links

Co-authored books mentioned in this episode:
The Resilience Factor: A Step-by-Step Guide to Catalyze an Unbreakable Team: https://a.co/d/8Eru2cc
Better Together: Making Church Mergers Work (expanded and updated edition): https://a.co/d/aAa01Pj
Next: Pastoral Succession that Works (expanded and updated edition): https://a.co/d/2brHZ1x
Liquid Church: Six Powerful Ways to Saturate Your City for Christ: https://a.co/d/fUVtMwb

Warren’s Website: https://warrenbird.com 
ECFA’s Website: https://www.ecfa.org

Don't Forget to SUBSCRIBE to IMF’s Channel: http://youtube.com/@imfserves

Want to hear more podcast episodes? New episodes are released every first and third Thursday of the month! Unscripted with IMF is the podcast that covers leadership, relevant hot topics, encouragement, stories, and the future of the church. This is a space for ministry leaders to learn how to ignite change and inspire growth wherever you serve because IMF exists to serve those who serve others! 

IMFServes Socials: 
http://instagram.com/imfserves 
http://facebook.com/imfserves 
http://youtube.com/imfserves

In this episode, we are honored to have Greg Ligon, a seasoned leader with over 30 years of experience in serving churches and leaders as our guest.

Greg is the founder of The Ligon Group a dynamic organization dedicated to maximizing kingdom impact through leadwell cohorts, consulting, and brand strategies. Greg is actively involved in various cohorts, recruiting for the spring season. These cohorts include Senior Pastors in their 30s, Executive Pastors, and Senior Pastors Finishing Well (55+), offering consulting services such as Smart Succession, Multisite Next, and What's Next Strategy. Greg also provides coaching for personal and professional development. His wealth of experience includes both founding and executive roles in multiple organizations with a focus on strategic planning for churches.

Greg's leadership extended to the publishing imprints associated with Leadership Network, where he provided executive leadership and spearheaded strategic services for the organization. Prior to his role at Leadership Network, Greg made significant contributions as the founding director of the United Methodist Campus Ministry at Southern Methodist University in Dallas and as a senior associate pastor at First United Methodist Church in Waco, Texas.

Podcast Guest Links:
The Ligon Group: https://ligongroup.com
Email Greg: greg@ligongroup.com
The Multi-site Church Revolution Book: https://a.co/d/i8Ya4jl
A Multi-site Church Roadtrip: Exploring the New Normal: https://a.co/d/fsd1hYN

Leadwell Cohorts:
Through LeadWell Cohorts, leaders gain unique insights from peer learning environments. LeadWell Cohorts leverage the group setting for leaders in similar roles. The wisdom of well seasoned mentors and expert resources from multiple disciplines empower participants to tackle some of the most pressing issues and opportunities of our time. This collaborative community helps leaders bust through their leadership lids and create plans for accelerated results.

Organizations with Digital Driven Discipleship Tools mentioned by Greg:
Studio C: https://thestudioc.org
Apollos: https://www.apollos.app

Don't Forget to SUBSCRIBE to IMF’s Channel: http://youtube.com/@imfserves

Want to hear more podcast episodes? New episodes are released every first and third Thursday of the month! Unscripted with IMF is the podcast that covers leadership, relevant hot topics, encouragement, stories, and the future of the church. This is a space for ministry leaders to learn how to ignite change and inspire growth wherever you serve because IMF exists to serve those who serve others!

Unscripted with IMF:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0HQARE9Ax4skTZvdWB2KMl?si=5c98ff0e0a82425b&nd=1 iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-unscripted-with-imf-108080352/
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1669111563
Podcast Addict: https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/4236415
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLWY8LqEsxlebeRoerrtb2I3D9qXb5nDH   

IMFServes Socials:
http://instagram.com/imfserves
http://facebook.com/imfserves
http://youtube.com/imfserves

Hannah Fordice, the founder of House of Faith and Freedom, is a writer and advocate with a passion for ending intimate partner violence. She developed House of Faith and Freedom to help equip individuals, churches, and ministries to prayerfully and effectively deal with abusive situations in their congregation and surrounding community.

Hannah has a B.A. in Psychology and a M.A. in Human Services  Forensic Behavioral Health. She has experience working with various non-profits and government agencies around the areas of domestic violence, victim services, and community outreach and education. Join in on the conversation of breaking the silence and navigating intimate partner violence in our church communities.

**Disclosure: Special Interview Episode**
This episode is a special interview featuring John Braland, President and General Overseer of IMF and Lead Pastor at Freshwater Church. We have been granted access by Freshwater Church and the We Bring Life Podcast to share this content through our podcast channels. We appreciate this collaboration and hope you enjoy the insightful conversation.

Podcast Guest Links
House of Faith & Freedom: https://www.houseoffaithandfreedom.org
Godly Response to Intimate Partner Violence Course: https://house-of-faith-and-freedom.trainercentralsite.com/course/godly-response-to-abuse#/home
Hannah’s Book Ready Refuge: A Cross-Denominational Guide for Church Leaders on Intimate Partner Violence https://a.co/d/3Sp9x9v 

Don't Forget to SUBSCRIBE to IMF’s Channel:
http://youtube.com/@imfserves

Want to hear more podcast episodes? New episodes are released every first and third Thursday of the month! Unscripted with IMF is the podcast that covers leadership, relevant hot topics, encouragement, stories, and the future of the church. This is a space for ministry leaders to learn how to ignite change and inspire growth wherever you serve because IMF exists to serve those who serve others!

Unscripted with IMF:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0HQARE9Ax4skTZvdWB2KMl?si=5c98ff0e0a82425b&nd=1
iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-unscripted-with-imf-108080352/
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1669111563
Podcast Addict: https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/4236415
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLWY8LqEsxlebeRoerrtb2I3D9qXb5nDH

IMFServes Socials:
http://instagram.com/imfserves
http://facebook.com/imfserves
http://youtube.com/imfserves

In this episode, we are honored to have Dr. Langston as our guest, a seasoned Seminary Professor and Chaplain with a rich background in law enforcement, sports, healthcare, and military settings. He brings great wisdom into the world of chaplaincy, exploring the trends that shape this vital field.
 
Dr. Langston shares his journey in establishing the Chaplaincy program at CIU’s Seminary & School of Ministry, and his role in crafting the PhD in Practical Theology. Drawing from his extensive experience as a Law Enforcement Chaplain, Sports Chaplain with NASCAR, Healthcare Chaplain, and Military Chaplain, he sheds light on the challenges faced by veterans and active personnel, particularly focusing on moral injuries that leave lasting impacts.
 
The conversation deepens as we unpack the core issues that bring guilt, shame, and mental health struggles for both Chaplains and those who Chaplains are serving. Dr. Langston guides us through the process of unpacking conflict resolution, making assessments of complex situations, and understanding the underlying dynamics.

IMF and CIU’s Strategic Partnership - The partnership provides IMF Members scholarship options for both part-time ($250 per semester) and full-time ($500 per semester) students. Students may be eligible for additional CIU scholarships and grants. It also allows qualified CIU faculty, staff, seniors, and graduates to a 25% reduced application fee when applying for ecclesiastical credentialing through IMF.

Podcast Guest Links:
Michael Langston's Biography: www.ciu.edu/faculty-staff/michael-w-langston
Check out CIU for advanced degree options: https://www.ciu.edu
IMF Partnerships: http://Imfserves.org/strategicpartnerships

Don't Forget to SUBSCRIBE to IMF’s Channel:
http://youtube.com/@imfserves

Want to hear more podcast episodes? New episodes are released every first and third Thursday of the month! Unscripted with IMF is the podcast that covers leadership, relevant hot topics, encouragement, stories, and the future of the church. This is a space for ministry leaders to learn how to ignite change and inspire growth wherever you serve because IMF exists to serve those who serve others!

Unscripted with IMF:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0HQARE9Ax4skTZvdWB2KMl?si=5c98ff0e0a82425b&nd=1
iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-unscripted-with-imf-108080352/
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1669111563
Podcast Addict: https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/4236415
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLWY8LqEsxlebeRoerrtb2I3D9qXb5nDH

IMFServes Socials:
Instagram (@IMFServes)
Facebook (facebook.com/IMFserves)
YouTube (@IMFServes)

Join us on this episode of Unscripted with IMF with our Guest Larry Osborne. He shares on the impact of fostering genuine discipleship through information and relationships, sharing the growing discipleship trends that are sticking since covid, and how to maintain and propel discipleship while experiencing church growth and church expansion.

Larry Osborne is a pastor, author, mentor, and leadership consultant who has trained and coached thousands of top-level leaders in both the non-profit and profit sectors. Recognized as one of America's most influential pastors due to his pioneering work with concepts like sermon-based small groups, pastoral teaching teams, video venues, and multisite churches, his fingerprints are found on ministries and churches throughout the world.

Podcast Guest Links
Larry Osborne’s Website: https://larryosborne.com
List of Books: https://larryosborne.com/books

Don't Forget to SUBSCRIBE to IMF’s Channel:
http://youtube.com/@imfserves

Want to hear more podcast episodes? New episodes are released every first and third Thursday of the month! Unscripted with IMF is the podcast that covers leadership, relevant hot topics, encouragement, stories, and the future of the church. This is a space for ministry leaders to learn how to ignite change and inspire growth wherever you serve because IMF exists to serve those who serve others!

Unscripted with IMF:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0HQARE9Ax4skTZvdWB2KMl?si=5c98ff0e0a82425b&nd=1
iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-unscripted-with-imf-108080352/
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1669111563
Podcast Addict: https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/4236415
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLWY8LqEsxlebeRoerrtb2I3D9qXb5nDH

IMFServes Socials:
Instagram (@IMFServes)
Facebook (facebook.com/IMFserves)
YouTube (@IMFServes)

Join us in this inspiring episode with our guest, Pastor Londa Lundstrom, a true multi-talented disciple maker, communicator, evangelist, pastor, and so much more.

Discover how the power of the gospel provided a firm foundation for Londa's sacred calling and shaped her remarkable journey. From her parents founding Lowell Lundstrom Ministries in 1957 to her own ministry today, Londa's passion for reaching the lost for Christ shines through.

Londa provides valuable insights on leadership, emphasizing the importance of leading oneself before leading others. Learn from her wisdom as she highlights the significance of life long learning, taking care of oneself through proper sleep, nutrition, nurturing relationships, and engaging in hobbies fills a leader's cup in order to serve and pour into the lives of others.

Want to dive deeper into the concepts discussed in this podcast episode? You can purchase Londa's book, "Living with a Yes in Your Heart” HERE.

Join us on this episode of Unscripted with IMF as we dive into an important topic: Soul Care and Boundaries in ministry leadership. Our guest speaker, Anna Brant, brings her wealth of experience and expertise to shed light on  prioritizing your own well-being while effectively leading and serving others.

Anna Brant's journey in ministry first began at Freshwater, where she served in various roles such as Women's ministry, greeting, and kids ministry after first attending in 2005. Over time, she emerged as a leader and underwent training through Pastoral Leadership Institute, further solidifying her passion for full-time ministry.

Currently, Anna serves as a licensed pastor for adult ministries and is on staff as the Discipleship Pastor at Freshwater Church in Waconia, MN. She not only ministers to the church community but also mentors leaders and ministers, providing them with guidance and support for maintaining a healthy balance of physical, spiritual, and mental health practices.

In this episode, Anna will delve into the significance of soul care, emphasizing the importance of setting healthy boundaries in ministry leadership. She will share practical insights, personal experiences, and valuable advice for keeping a healthy pace around soul care and boundaries while serving others in ministry leadership.

Checkout Anna Brant’s website here: https://mamadaviab.wixsite.com/annabrant