Transforming Mission Leadercast With Tim Bias & Sara Thomas

Is retaliation ever justified? In this episode, you explore Jesus' teaching from Matthew 5:38–42 and what it means to live faithfully in a world shaped by revenge, power, and division. By starting with Jesus as the lens for understanding scripture, the conversation uncovers how interpretations can lead to very different responses to conflict and harm. You are guided through four common approaches to retaliation: unlimited retaliation, limited retaliation, limited love, and the radically different way of unconditional love. Each perspective reveals something about human nature, but only one reflects the heart of God. This episode challenges the idea that love is weak or impractical. Instead, you are invited to see love as a courageous, identity-shaping response rooted in being a beloved child of God. Loving enemies, going the second mile, and turning the other cheek are not passive acts but powerful expressions of God's peace at work in your life. As you listen, you are encouraged to consider how you respond t

Part 3 of a 3 part series. Episode 399: Learning to See Again – Love as a Way of Life In the final episode of this three-part series, Tim and Sara turn toward a simple but demanding invitation: to learn how to see again and to live love as a way of life. Building on the previous conversations about losing our ability to see one another as human and returning to the heart of the faith in the incarnation, this episode asks what it looks like to practice seeing every day, especially when it is difficult, uncomfortable, or costly. This conversation names love not as a feeling, but as a discipline that shapes how we pay attention, the stories we tell ourselves about others, and the way we speak when people are not present. Drawing from scripture and lived experience, Tim and Sara reflect on how accountability, boundaries, and truth matter, while insisting that love must always protect dignity and never give way to cruelty. Learning to see again is framed as formation, becoming people who instinctively look for the

Part 2 of a 3 part seies In Episode 398, Tim and Sara continue the conversation from Episode 397 by returning to the center of our faith: the incarnation. Christianity does not begin with ideas about God. It begins with God choosing to become human. God puts "skin on" and comes close, not as an abstract concept, but as presence. Vulnerable. Woundable. Near. This episode explores how the incarnation restores our sight. If we want to learn how to see one another again, we look at how God chose to see us, not from a distance or above, but from within human life. Jesus meets people in real places, with real stories, and he does it with attention and humility. He asks questions, slows things down, and honors dignity in a world that keeps pushing for speed and efficiency. Tim and Sara reflect on the story of Bartimaeus (Mark 10), where Jesus stops, turns toward the one the crowd tries to silence, and asks, "What do you want me to do for you?" Before healing, Jesus restores dignity. The episode invites us to notice

This episode is part 1 of a 3 part dialogue. We begin with a quiet but dangerous shift happening in our lives and in the world around us: the gradual loss of our ability to truly see one another as human beings. What begins as small, reasonable judgments can slowly turn people into categories, stories into assumptions, and neighbors into abstractions. Through everyday examples and honest reflection, this episode explores how easily fear, certainty, efficiency, and distance can shape the way we perceive others and ourselves. As you well know, this is a podcast centered around faith. So it should come as no surprise that what we're exploring is not a political or social problem, the conversation names it as a spiritual one. At the heart of Christian faith is the incarnation, God choosing to be known through human life. When we forget that truth, we risk losing sight of the image of God in one another. The episode invites listeners to consider what is shaping their vision, how spiritual disciplines help us remai

The next three episodes will come your way on February 10th. You'll have the opportunity to listen to a larger conversation in those three episodes we'll be back with episode 400 to start the Lenten journey with a podcast on February 24th. So today we have a setup for our next three episodes. So here's why we're dropping all three episodes at once. You might call it a little mini series. One of the quiet dangers of our time is not simply fear, but how easily fear is reshaping people's vision. What we're seeing in the world is that people become categories, lives become labels, humanity gets flattened into conclusions, and when that happens, something essential is lost. Not only about others, but about ourselves. Scripture though calls us back to a different way of seeing before we're defined by our work, our opinions, or our circumstances. We are named and claimed as children of God. This identity isn't earned. It's received. And when we trust that truth about ourselves, we're free to honor it in others. Jesu

This week, explore what it means to live and lead with truth that can be trusted. In a culture shaped by reaction, urgency, and "truth-ish" sound bites, they reflect on discernment as a spiritual practice rooted in relationship with Jesus, not impulse or opinion. This conversation invites leaders and congregations to recover holy pause, reflect deeply, and live up to the name Christian by embodying truth with integrity, humility, and grace.

In this episode of Transforming Mission's podcast, Tim and Sara explore what it means to live faithfully in the tension between what is and what can be. In a polarized, fast-paced world that trains us to react, they reflect on Scripture, identity, and presence as essential practices for Christ-centered discipleship. Drawing from Hebrews 11 and Romans 8, this conversation invites listeners to consider how hope is formed not by escaping discomfort, but by remaining grounded in Jesus, cultivating trust, and practicing faithful presence with one another.

In a time when opinions are loud and certainty comes quickly, Episode 394 of the Transforming Mission Podcast offers a quieter and deeper invitation. This conversation explores what it means to trust truth not as information to defend, but as a relationship rooted in Jesus, who says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." If you are longing for discernment, grace, and a more faithful way to engage difficult conversations, this episode creates space to slow down, listen, and reflect.

As we close our Advent series, we turn to Joseph in Matthew 1:18–25, a quiet figure whose actions teach us about faithful leadership. Joseph does not speak, yet his choices reveal a deep, lived righteousness. When Joseph learns of Mary's pregnancy, he chooses mercy before he has answers. He plans to protect her from humiliation, showing us that righteousness is not rigid rule keeping, but compassion in action. Only later does the angel appear, speaking words leaders often need to hear, "Do not be afraid." Joseph's fear is not dismissed, but he is invited to trust that God is at work in ways he cannot yet see. Joseph is entrusted with two names for the child, Jesus, meaning "the Lord saves," and Emmanuel, "God with us." These names remind us that God's saving work happens through presence. God comes near, stepping into ordinary and complicated lives. When Joseph wakes, he acts. He takes Mary as his wife and names the child, publicly aligning his life with what God is doing, even at personal cost. Compassion mo

In Episode 392 of the Transforming Mission Podcast, we continue our Advent series *Here Comes the Teacher* by turning our attention to Matthew 11:2–11 and the honest questions of John the Baptist. From a prison cell, John asks the question many faithful people wrestle with: *Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?* Jesus responds not with explanations, but by pointing to what is already happening, healing, restoration, mercy, and good news for the poor. In this episode, Tim and Sara explore what it means to pay attention when God does not meet our expectations, why disappointment can open the door to deeper trust, and how believing in Jesus becomes a way of living marked by compassion and care for others. This conversation is especially meaningful for leaders navigating uncertainty, change, or unmet hopes. Advent invites us to slow down, look again, and notice the surprising ways God is already at work. Join us as we reflect on how the Teacher invites us to see, trust, and live differen

Episode 391: Here Comes the Teacher - Listen As we step into Matthew 3 and follow John the Baptist into the wilderness, this Advent conversation explores how listening prepares us for the One who is coming. From John's bold call to repentance to Jesus' quiet arrival at the Jordan, this episode invites you to slow down, clear the noise, and pay attention to God's presence. If you're longing for clarity, renewal, or a deeper connection with God this season, this episode offers a thoughtful guide for your Advent journey. Listen today and rediscover the transforming power of listening.

Episode 390: Here Comes the Teacher — Watch Advent invites us to wake up to God's presence—even in the chaos. In this first week of our Advent series, Here Comes the Teacher, we explore Jesus' call to "stay awake" in Matthew 24. Rather than predicting the future, Jesus offers a posture for faithful living: watchfulness. In a world marked by turmoil, whether in the first century or today, the Teacher invites us to pay attention, stay centered, and notice where God is breaking in right now. Sara and Tim unpack how Matthew's Gospel speaks into moments of crisis, reminding us that God's presence is not distant or theoretical. It's Emmanuel, God with us, showing up in the swirl of ordinary life. From practicing the means of grace to asking daily, "Where have you experienced Christ's presence today?" this episode offers a hopeful and grounded way to move through Advent. Leaders especially will find encouragement to help their communities stay awake to God's activity, resist fear-driven distractions, and cultivate h

Episode 388: Holiness of Heart and Life In this episode, Tim and Sara explore Micah 6:6–8 and the Wesleyan invitation to holiness of heart and life. Through the lens of justice, kindness (Hesed), and humble walking with God, they unpack what true worship looks like; far beyond religious performance. Together, they reflect on how holiness is formed from the inside out, why justice is inseparable from faithful leadership, and how leaders can practice presence, integrity, and attentiveness in everyday life. Practical examples, honest wrestling, and timeless wisdom make this a rich conversation for anyone wanting to lead with Christlike character today. Read more on the episode page at https://transformingmission.og/388

Episode 387: The Economy of Grace In this episode, Tim and Sara unpack one of Jesus' most practical and challenging teachings from Matthew 6:19–24. Through this passage, they explore what it means to live within God's economy of grace: a way of life where grace, not greed, defines our values, vision, and priorities. They begin with Jesus' reminder that "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also," inviting listeners to consider what truly captures their attention and shapes their lives. Together, they discuss how generosity, focus, and trust reveal where our hearts reside and how our vision determines our path. From the dangers of divided loyalty to the freedom of serving one master, the conversation highlights the difference between accumulation and participation, between chasing what fades and investing in what lasts. Drawing from Wesleyan wisdom, they remind us that grace refocuses our hearts, clears our vision, and calls us to steward not just our money but our time, attention, and relationship

The Wesleyan Way of Leadership Scripture: Hebrews 12:1–2 Leadership is not a sprint. It's a marathon of grace, perseverance, and faithful endurance. In this episode, Tim and Sara explore the Wesleyan way of leadership through the lens of Hebrews 12:1–2, focusing on three core practices that help Christ-centered leaders stay grounded for the long run: vision, adaptability, and accountability. You'll hear how vision keeps us focused on Christ and the mission, how adaptability helps us lay aside what no longer fits so we can follow the Spirit's leading, and how accountability reminds us that we don't run the race alone. Through stories of perseverance, from Admiral Jim Stockdale to Olympic runner Derek Redmond, Tim and Sara remind us that leadership is about helping everyone finish the race faithfully, not just finishing first. Listen and reflect: What race are you running right now? What weights are slowing you down? Who's running beside you and cheering you on? Where are your eyes fixed? Remember: You're sur

The earliest followers of Jesus didn't just gather once a week—they lived their faith together. In Acts 2:42–47, we glimpse a community formed around grace: studying Scripture, sharing meals, praying, and caring for one another so that no one was in need. In this episode, Tim and Sara explore what it means to build a grace-filled community today. They remind us that community isn't optional for followers of Jesus—it's the context where faith is practiced, forgiveness is learned, and love takes shape. You'll hear how the early church's rhythms of prayer, fellowship, generosity, and devotion reveal a pattern for Christ-centered leadership in every generation. Together, Tim and Sara discuss: Why practicing community is a spiritual discipline that requires intention and grace. How transformation happens through reflection, not just information. What koinonia—true Christian fellowship—looks like beyond coffee and donuts. How Wesley's class meetings built structures of care that nurtured spiritual growth.  A real-l

Sanctifying grace is God’s ongoing work of shaping us into the likeness of Christ. It does not happen through quick fixes or self-improvement, but through love that matures over time. In Episode 384 of Transforming Mission, we explore how God finishes what God starts, using the words of Philippians 1:3–11 as our guide. Through gratitude, prayer, partnership, and discernment, this conversation reminds us that grace isn’t a one-time moment. Grace is a lifelong relationship. You’ll be encouraged to notice where love is growing in your life, name your partners in grace, and practice habits that nurture spiritual growth. If you’ve ever felt weary, unfinished, or unsure how to grow in faith, this episode offers hope: God isn’t done with you yet. Sanctifying grace is love in motion. Sanctifying grace is God forming your heart, your habits, and your leadership in Christ’s image.  Read more and listen at https://transformingmission.org/384

In this episode, Tim and Sara continue their journey through the movements of grace,this time focusing on justifying grace, God’s gift of new life. If prevenient grace awakens us to God’s presence, justifying grace is the moment we realize we’ve already been welcomed—fully, freely, and forever. Anchored in Romans 5:1–11, this conversation explores how God’s grace moves first, reconciling us and setting us free to live as beloved children of God. Tim and Sara unpack how repentance isn’t a price we pay to receive grace but our “yes” to God’s “yes.” They explore what it means to stand in grace, to live from peace rather than striving, and to lead from love rather than fear. Along the way, Tim shares a powerful personal story of discovering what it means to be chosen and loved—an image of the unconditional grace we find in Jesus. Listeners will discover five practical ways to live and lead from justifying grace: confession, communion, courage in conflict, gospel-centered preaching, and blessing others with love.

Episdoe 382 invites you to begin an exploration of God's grace in the Wesleyan tradition. That exploration begins with prevenient grace, the grace that goes before us, through the lens of John 1:1–9. Long before we act, plan, or even believe, God is already at work. That’s the heart of prevenient grace. It reminds leaders that ministry isn’t about starting something new, but discerning how to join what God has already begun. Through Scripture, Wesleyan theology, and personal stories, this conversation invites you to reframe leadership as an act of cooperation with God’s initiative. From the light that “shines in the darkness” to the relationships and moments where grace is already at work, this episode will help you see leadership through the lens of divine presence and participation. Listen now and rediscover how prevenient grace transforms how you lead, serve, and live. Learn more at transformingmission.org/382