Craig Etheredge and Ben Borgman sit down with Cameron Bundy—a seasoned ministry practitioner and trusted discipleFIRST trainer—for a conversation that hits at the heart of a challenge every leader faces: staying focused on what matters most.
When the demands of ministry pull you in every direction, it’s easy to slip into “fireman mode”—reacting to problems instead of advancing the mission Jesus gave us. This episode offers a reset: a Christ-centered framework for leading with clarity, purpose, and intentionality.
Craig shares a five-step approach to productivity, beginning with the concept of Key Result Areas (KRAs) that bring sharp focus to your leadership. Ben and Cameron weigh in with real-world insights, helping you break big-picture goals into action steps that keep disciple-making front and center.
They also dive into the value of spiritual rhythms—like personal retreat days—and the role of accountability in helping you stay aligned with God’s direction. Whether you lead a church, a team, or a small group, this conversation will help you shift from surviving the chaos to leading with purpose.
Plus, they’ll share a free productivity resource and coaching opportunities to help you grow as a disciple-making leader.
Let’s jump in and discover how to lead with purpose, multiply your impact, and stay focused on the mission that matters most.
Overview:
- 00:00 Overwhelmed by Big Goals
- 03:06 Disciple-Making Leadership Guide
- 06:30 Key Questions for KRA Identification
- 10:38 Church Leadership: Setting Key Goals
- 14:44 “Ask and Achieve the Impossible”
- 17:54 “Goal Setting and Execution”
- 20:46 Bridging Goals to Daily Action
- 22:48 Personal Retreat Day Practice
- 27:03 “Effective Monthly Planning Strategies”
- 30:56 “Support for Overwhelmed Pastors”
Discussion Questions:
- What is the significance of establishing “Key Result Areas” (KRAs) in ministry leadership, and how can these guide an organization or department?
- Craig and Cameron talk about the difference between activity and productivity in ministry. Have you experienced seasons where you were busy but not truly productive? How did you recognize and address that?
- How do you personally approach goal-setting, and do you ever find yourself resisting it, as some pastors do? Why do you think some leaders are hesitant to set measurable goals?
- The conversation highlights the need for balancing spiritual dependence with practical planning. In what ways can setting goals and tracking progress be a spiritual practice?
- Cameron mentions the importance of breaking down big dreams into actionable steps. What practical methods do you use (or could you use) to turn vision into everyday action?
- They discuss the value of a personal retreat day for leaders. How might taking intentional time away from daily ministry activities impact your leadership and productivity?
- What are the potential benefits and downsides of doing a personal retreat day with your team, as Cameron described?
- How do you handle it when you set goals or objectives and do not meet them? What mindset helps you stay motivated and growth-oriented in those moments?
- The episode touches on using accountability positively versus fearing it. How can leaders foster a culture where accountability is encouraging rather than threatening?
- KRAs are described as aligning everyone on the team to a common direction. How might clear KRAs filter out distractions and “shiny objects” that could sidetrack your ministry?
