238. Lead with Less Anxiety, with Alan Fadling, author of A Non-Anxious Life

Spiritual Life and Leadership

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Is it possible to lead a congregation without being consumed by anxiety and stress? How can we as ministry leaders manage the pressures and expectations we carry while maintaining a sense of peace and lightness?
In this episode, Alan Fadling, author of A Non-Anxious Life, unpacks how ministry leaders can navigate anxiety by creating a supportive network of friends and mentors, understanding God’s joyful nature, and how these realities can transform our personal life and pastoral leadership.
THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

• Alan Fadling advises not bringing personal anxiety into a congregation but sharing it with friends, mentors, therapists, and spiritual directors.
• Alan Fadling highlights that his experience with managing anxiety has been supported by people outside his immediate church community.
• Referencing Lewis Smedes' Shame and Grace, Markus Watson illustrates how acceptance from others can help people feel less anxious and more acceptable.
• Discussing his book about anxiety with a church small group, Alan Fadling emphasizes the value of having outside perspectives to reassure one's concerns.
• Understanding God's joyful nature can lead to personal transformation and fuller acceptance of grace.
• Markus Watson relates a story about providing comfort rather than judgment, illustrating how fear and anxiety are addressed in a supportive manner.
• Categorizing anxiety as a sin is unhelpful, Fadling emphasizes, especially from a pastoral perspective.
• Referencing Eugene Peterson's interpretation from Philippians 4, Alan Fadling focuses on replacing anxiety with peace through prayer.
• We should recognize God's presence in anxious moments through prayer and reflection rather than avoid anxiety.
• Inspired by Dallas Willard, Fadling shares a personal practice of using scripture to find peace amidst anxiety.
• Psalms of Lament can help engage with and express anxiety while relying on God's support.
• Journaling with honesty, as practiced by Alan Fadling, serves as a personal dialogue with God and reinforces that God cares and one is not alone.
• Fadling’s early ministry concerns included whether congregants liked him, stemming from personal insecurity.
• Discussing a "recognition deficit," Alan Fadling notes the mistake of seeking validation from congregations instead of from God.

RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:

• Alan Fadling:
  • Unhurriedliving.com
  • Unhurried Living Podcast
• Books mentioned:
  • A Non-Anxious Life, by Alan Fadling
  • The Wounded Healer, by Henri Nouwen
  • Shame and Grace, by Lewis Smedes
  • Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, by Lewis Smedes
• Related Episodes:
  • The Healing Power of Pilgrimage, with Jon Huckins
  • Saudade, Leadership, and Nurturing the Inner Life, with Jeff Crosby

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