First Things First - Vandalyn Kennedy | Faithly Podcast

100:00:00.380 --> 00:00:03.940I think between old models of you have200:00:03.940 --> 00:00:06.160to wait until a certain time, between that,300:00:06.780 --> 00:00:09.720between leaders who are insecure, who are afraid400:00:09.720 --> 00:00:11.660that someone is going to take their spot,500:00:12.060 --> 00:00:13.800we're not putting them in the game.600:00:13.980 --> 00:00:16.640But watch this, they're creating their own game.700:00:24.590 --> 00:00:26.170This is the Faithly Podcast.800:00:27.790 --> 00:00:30.150My name is Pastor Adam Durso, and welcome900:00:30.150 --> 00:00:32.850to another episode of Faithly Podcast.1000:00:32.850 --> 00:00:35.490I have the opportunity to sit here with1100:00:35.490 --> 00:00:38.390the tremendous Reverend Vandalyn Kennedy.1200:00:38.610 --> 00:00:39.550Say what's up, Vandalyn.1300:00:39.630 --> 00:00:40.710Oh, what an honor.1400:00:40.850 --> 00:00:42.790Hello, everyone, and what an honor it is1500:00:42.790 --> 00:00:44.150to be here with you, Pastor Adam.1600:00:44.270 --> 00:00:45.810Well, and what people don't know, I mean,1700:00:46.070 --> 00:00:49.410yes, you are chairlady of the International Youth1800:00:49.410 --> 00:00:50.970Department for the Church of God in Christ,1900:00:51.050 --> 00:00:55.050which is six million strong internationally over youth,2000:00:55.110 --> 00:00:55.890young adults, and youth leaders.2100:00:56.230 --> 00:00:57.650But you and I know each other from2200:00:57.650 --> 00:01:00.970doing youth ministry in Brooklyn, in Queens, 252300:01:00.970 --> 00:01:04.890years ago, and we still remain friends, doing2400:01:04.890 --> 00:01:07.750amazing ministry together, and you're crushing it.2500:01:08.450 --> 00:01:10.770Listen, many of the spaces that I'm in,2600:01:11.370 --> 00:01:13.330you've connected me with some of those people.2700:01:13.510 --> 00:01:14.970I just did a workshop the other day,2800:01:15.110 --> 00:01:17.830and I mentioned your name, because I talked2900:01:17.830 --> 00:01:20.290about the youth ministry events you always had,3000:01:20.590 --> 00:01:22.050and that I came to, and my eyes3100:01:22.050 --> 00:01:22.470were opened.3200:01:22.630 --> 00:01:23.790So thank God.3300:01:23.930 --> 00:01:26.090Well, let's talk about it, because you've got3400:01:26.090 --> 00:01:29.870a run of ministry and education and degrees.3500:01:30.390 --> 00:01:31.950What does a journey look like?3600:01:32.950 --> 00:01:35.370Oh, it's been a long journey.3700:01:36.330 --> 00:01:37.670I grew up in the church.3800:01:37.970 --> 00:01:41.370I grew up, I'm the only girl of3900:01:41.370 --> 00:01:42.350four children.4000:01:42.470 --> 00:01:43.730I have three older brothers, my mom and4100:01:43.730 --> 00:01:44.110dad.4200:01:44.590 --> 00:01:46.050Mom was into education.4300:01:46.310 --> 00:01:47.150She was a church musician.4400:01:47.370 --> 00:01:49.250Father, we had a cleaner's and a laundromat4500:01:49.250 --> 00:01:49.930down the street.4600:01:50.610 --> 00:01:52.570And so we were raised in Mount Sinai4700:01:52.570 --> 00:01:53.930Cathedral Church of God in Christ.4800:01:54.070 --> 00:01:54.270Okay.4900:01:54.510 --> 00:01:56.310Grew up in the choir, doing all the5000:01:56.310 --> 00:01:56.930church things.5100:01:57.610 --> 00:02:00.030Sixteen, I went away to Sarah Lawrence College.5200:02:00.610 --> 00:02:01.430I went away- At 16?5300:02:01.570 --> 00:02:02.210At 16.5400:02:02.390 --> 00:02:02.650Okay.5500:02:02.730 --> 00:02:03.690So you were a prodigy.5600:02:04.210 --> 00:02:04.550Adam.5700:02:05.170 --> 00:02:06.790They wanted to get me out of there.5800:02:07.830 --> 00:02:10.070So at 16, I go away to college.5900:02:10.530 --> 00:02:11.890All I knew was Jesus.6000:02:12.070 --> 00:02:15.790I wore skirts and I knew church, but6100:02:15.790 --> 00:02:17.370I didn't really know a lot of God.6200:02:18.490 --> 00:02:21.290And so someone said, do you want to6300:02:21.290 --> 00:02:22.190smoke a joint?6400:02:22.470 --> 00:02:23.310I said, sure.6500:02:23.990 --> 00:02:24.430Smoked.6600:02:24.790 --> 00:02:25.230Loved it.6700:02:26.130 --> 00:02:26.57017.6800:02:27.230 --> 00:02:28.390You want to do a line of coke?6900:02:28.830 --> 00:02:29.150Yeah.7000:02:30.570 --> 00:02:33.23017 and a half, full-fledged drug, cocaine7100:02:33.230 --> 00:02:33.670habit.7200:02:34.350 --> 00:02:35.430Started selling drugs.7300:02:35.670 --> 00:02:36.39017 and a half.7400:02:36.390 --> 00:02:37.050Church girl.7500:02:37.290 --> 00:02:37.490Yeah.7600:02:38.090 --> 00:02:42.250Long story short, left college, came home, didn't7700:02:42.250 --> 00:02:43.410really want to have anything to do with7800:02:43.410 --> 00:02:45.350God, but the Lord began to tug on7900:02:45.350 --> 00:02:45.730my heart.8000:02:45.790 --> 00:02:46.510Isn't that awesome?8100:02:47.010 --> 00:02:49.270Even when you're not looking for Him, He8200:02:49.270 --> 00:02:50.150comes looking for you.8300:02:50.250 --> 00:02:52.830All I wanted to do was smoke, but8400:02:52.830 --> 00:02:54.090He tugged on my heart.8500:02:54.090 --> 00:02:55.970He came for me, put a bit in8600:02:55.970 --> 00:02:58.410my nose, as the Old Testament says, and8700:02:58.410 --> 00:03:00.290I came back to the church at about8800:03:00.290 --> 00:03:05.03021 and just started running for God because8900:03:05.030 --> 00:03:06.890He really saved me.9000:03:07.110 --> 00:03:08.550It wasn't religious this time.9100:03:08.890 --> 00:03:09.510It wasn't tradition.9200:03:09.670 --> 00:03:10.930It was the presence of the Lord.9300:03:11.410 --> 00:03:12.970And so I began to run for God.9400:03:13.030 --> 00:03:15.150And before I knew it, I was just9500:03:15.150 --> 00:03:18.150serving and I was being quote unquote elevated.9600:03:18.670 --> 00:03:18.790Sure.9700:03:19.250 --> 00:03:21.570I didn't know, but my pastor began to9800:03:21.570 --> 00:03:24.990acknowledge, almost like Samuel and Eli, the Lord9900:03:24.990 --> 00:03:27.010is calling you, the hand of the Lord10000:03:27.010 --> 00:03:27.950is upon your life.10100:03:28.110 --> 00:03:31.450And I began serving music ministry, youth ministry,10200:03:31.730 --> 00:03:32.050everything.10300:03:32.350 --> 00:03:34.890And now here I am.10400:03:35.130 --> 00:03:36.890Well, you know, in baseball, they call it10500:03:36.890 --> 00:03:38.030a five-tool player, right?10600:03:38.070 --> 00:03:40.690Somebody that can hit, run, field.10700:03:40.810 --> 00:03:41.650They do the whole thing.10800:03:42.230 --> 00:03:45.410Vandalyn, you are the Christian ministry version of10900:03:45.410 --> 00:03:46.610a five-tool player.11000:03:46.610 --> 00:03:49.550You are, you can sing, you can pray,11100:03:49.910 --> 00:03:51.390prophesy, preach the house down.11200:03:51.810 --> 00:03:54.610But there's this other side of you that11300:03:54.610 --> 00:03:56.470I don't know if everybody really knows.11400:03:56.690 --> 00:03:59.090And that is, you are a tremendous strategist.11500:03:59.370 --> 00:04:00.790I mean, we'll talk about your book in11600:04:00.790 --> 00:04:02.190a second, by the way, plug.11700:04:03.130 --> 00:04:04.750We'll talk about that in a little bit,11800:04:05.210 --> 00:04:08.550but the strategy side of what you do,11900:04:09.190 --> 00:04:14.830you have helped and are helping organizations, ministries12000:04:14.830 --> 00:04:19.910to be more efficient, more effective, to hit12100:04:19.910 --> 00:04:21.470their mark and their goal.12200:04:22.140 --> 00:04:23.450What does that look like?12300:04:24.230 --> 00:04:25.530Well, a few things.12400:04:25.650 --> 00:04:27.150Number one, you mentioned the education.12500:04:27.330 --> 00:04:28.290I'm thankful for that.12600:04:28.790 --> 00:04:31.890But I realized at a certain point that12700:04:31.890 --> 00:04:34.010preaching is necessary.12800:04:34.250 --> 00:04:35.030I'm doing it.12900:04:35.030 --> 00:04:38.830But I realized that leaders need to be13000:04:38.830 --> 00:04:40.050empowered and strengthened.13100:04:40.470 --> 00:04:42.730The church, many times, is the only place13200:04:42.730 --> 00:04:44.930that you can come in and they put13300:04:44.930 --> 00:04:46.710you in a position and you just have13400:04:46.710 --> 00:04:47.430to figure it out.13500:04:48.390 --> 00:04:50.230You could be in charge of a team,13600:04:50.470 --> 00:04:52.950you're not taught about strategy, you're not taught13700:04:52.950 --> 00:04:56.050how to organize anything, leadership 101, you're good13800:04:56.050 --> 00:04:57.370with youth, you're the youth pastor.13900:04:57.530 --> 00:04:58.590Well, how do I do a budget?14000:04:58.850 --> 00:05:00.130What about conflict resolution?14100:05:00.130 --> 00:05:02.710And so the Lord began to tug on14200:05:02.710 --> 00:05:05.910me about all of this Ivy League training14300:05:05.910 --> 00:05:06.550and these degrees.14400:05:06.910 --> 00:05:09.570This is so that you can empower whatever,14500:05:10.130 --> 00:05:11.970but this is so that you can empower14600:05:11.970 --> 00:05:13.430my people.14700:05:13.650 --> 00:05:16.230And so I get great joy.14800:05:16.350 --> 00:05:18.010I preach because I have to, I have14900:05:18.010 --> 00:05:18.450no choice.15000:05:18.530 --> 00:05:19.350The Lord will get me.15100:05:19.870 --> 00:05:22.870But when it comes to leadership development and15200:05:22.870 --> 00:05:25.930strategy, I get joy out of that.15300:05:25.930 --> 00:05:28.410And I get joy out of having the15400:05:28.410 --> 00:05:32.410kingdom of God advance through leaders being empowered.15500:05:33.010 --> 00:05:34.850And so that's what I get.15600:05:34.970 --> 00:05:36.410Because we can do more if we just15700:05:36.410 --> 00:05:37.130had strategy.15800:05:37.910 --> 00:05:39.110And when it comes to, like, I was15900:05:39.110 --> 00:05:40.650a youth pastor for many years, and so,16000:05:40.930 --> 00:05:43.190you know, I'm not on the boots on16100:05:43.190 --> 00:05:44.350the ground youth ministry anymore.16200:05:44.470 --> 00:05:46.810But I realized if I help to empower16300:05:46.810 --> 00:05:49.830more leaders and more youth leaders, I can16400:05:49.830 --> 00:05:51.450reach more young people exponentially.16500:05:51.870 --> 00:05:53.470And so that is the strategy.16600:05:53.470 --> 00:05:55.930How can we do what we do for16700:05:55.930 --> 00:05:58.410God, but the best that it can be16800:05:58.410 --> 00:05:58.510done?16900:05:58.510 --> 00:06:01.070Yeah, better, more efficient, more effective.17000:06:01.390 --> 00:06:03.150And you and I both come out of17100:06:03.150 --> 00:06:06.630similar traditions in the Pentecostal circle.17200:06:06.710 --> 00:06:12.190And sometimes in those traditions, strategy and education17300:06:12.190 --> 00:06:16.190can almost be looked down upon or in17400:06:16.190 --> 00:06:19.330conflict with the move of the Holy Spirit.17500:06:19.690 --> 00:06:20.790But they're not.17600:06:21.010 --> 00:06:22.530How do they work in tandem?17700:06:22.530 --> 00:06:26.710We see biblical stories all through the Bible.17800:06:26.970 --> 00:06:30.190We see where leaders had strategy, right?17900:06:30.690 --> 00:06:35.490The Spirit is enough, but the more tools18000:06:35.490 --> 00:06:37.610we have to work with, the more information,18100:06:37.950 --> 00:06:38.830the more education.18200:06:39.090 --> 00:06:42.610And education is not always institutional, right?18300:06:43.030 --> 00:06:45.390Degrees are fine, but there are many people18400:06:45.390 --> 00:06:47.310who are able to do great things without18500:06:47.310 --> 00:06:48.090degrees.18600:06:48.090 --> 00:06:50.690So the more you have in your toolkit18700:06:50.690 --> 00:06:54.290to use, the more that God can do.18800:06:54.330 --> 00:06:58.150I love when it talks about the building18900:06:58.150 --> 00:07:01.530of first the tabernacle and then the temple.19000:07:01.970 --> 00:07:05.070And it's very clear that they were anointed19100:07:05.070 --> 00:07:07.450by the Holy Spirit, but they were gifted19200:07:07.450 --> 00:07:09.310in their skillset.19300:07:09.530 --> 00:07:13.770They had a gifting to deal with stones19400:07:13.770 --> 00:07:16.490or woodwork because God was not going to19500:07:16.490 --> 00:07:17.890build something shoddy.19600:07:18.110 --> 00:07:18.310Absolutely.19700:07:18.590 --> 00:07:20.890And what God is building in the earth19800:07:20.890 --> 00:07:22.890today is not shoddy.19900:07:22.910 --> 00:07:23.550Not shoddy.20000:07:23.810 --> 00:07:25.450As a matter of fact, you mentioned that20100:07:25.450 --> 00:07:28.130so many times the psalmist, we see David,20200:07:28.470 --> 00:07:31.110Asaph was anointed and skillful.20300:07:31.370 --> 00:07:33.630So we need to be anointed, but we20400:07:33.630 --> 00:07:34.430need to be skillful.20500:07:34.630 --> 00:07:38.470Moses, God told him, Bezalel had the ability20600:07:38.470 --> 00:07:41.350to create all of these things for the20700:07:41.350 --> 00:07:41.690ark.20800:07:41.790 --> 00:07:44.290And so we have to sharpen these skills20900:07:44.290 --> 00:07:45.970so that we can be the sharpest tools21000:07:45.970 --> 00:07:46.570that we can be.21100:07:46.630 --> 00:07:50.030Because too often, I think in some of21200:07:50.030 --> 00:07:53.010the circles we've been around, we blame sloppiness21300:07:53.010 --> 00:07:54.030on the Holy Spirit.21400:07:57.560 --> 00:07:59.000It doesn't have to be sloppy.21500:07:59.780 --> 00:08:01.340Do you know how many times, Pastor Adam,21600:08:01.500 --> 00:08:03.020that we have misused the scripture?21700:08:03.360 --> 00:08:05.720Open your mouth, go, and I'll fill it.21800:08:06.140 --> 00:08:08.100That's not what, that does not mean don't21900:08:08.100 --> 00:08:08.420study.22000:08:08.540 --> 00:08:08.700Right.22100:08:08.740 --> 00:08:09.940That doesn't mean lack of preparation.22200:08:10.060 --> 00:08:11.460That does not mean lack of preparation.22300:08:11.460 --> 00:08:12.540Yes, 100%.22400:08:12.540 --> 00:08:14.300Prepare, and the spirit of the Lord will22500:08:14.300 --> 00:08:16.160move you and show you how to, but22600:08:16.160 --> 00:08:18.580that we've got to be prepared and we22700:08:18.580 --> 00:08:21.040can't say, well, I'm just waiting for God22800:08:21.040 --> 00:08:21.560to do it.22900:08:21.760 --> 00:08:23.560No, God is waiting for us to be23000:08:23.560 --> 00:08:25.100the best we can be so that he23100:08:25.100 --> 00:08:26.340can move us into different areas.23200:08:26.540 --> 00:08:28.900There are some rooms that I could not23300:08:28.900 --> 00:08:31.360go into if I had not had certain23400:08:31.360 --> 00:08:31.799credentials.23500:08:32.960 --> 00:08:34.600And that does not mean that in every23600:08:34.600 --> 00:08:36.659room you need credentials, but that was where23700:08:36.659 --> 00:08:37.880God wanted to use me.23800:08:38.419 --> 00:08:40.440And so how many places are we not23900:08:40.440 --> 00:08:43.240being effective because we're not ready?24000:08:43.640 --> 00:08:43.880Yes.24100:08:44.260 --> 00:08:46.180God will never violate his word.24200:08:46.180 --> 00:08:49.460So sowing and reaping is foundational.24300:08:50.600 --> 00:08:53.280If I read it and I study it,24400:08:53.520 --> 00:08:55.520God can pull it out of me and24500:08:55.520 --> 00:08:56.640I can reap from it.24600:08:56.660 --> 00:08:59.480But if I don't apply it myself, there's24700:08:59.480 --> 00:09:01.740nothing God can do because he's not going24800:09:01.740 --> 00:09:02.560to violate his word.24900:09:02.680 --> 00:09:05.560And so to your point, preparation is the25000:09:05.560 --> 00:09:07.260breeding ground for spontaneity.25100:09:07.280 --> 00:09:07.720That's great.25200:09:08.000 --> 00:09:10.680When we're prepared, God doesn't only give you25300:09:10.680 --> 00:09:11.820what you pray for, he gives you what25400:09:11.820 --> 00:09:12.540you prepare for.25500:09:12.580 --> 00:09:13.100That's great.25600:09:13.100 --> 00:09:14.560Because if he gave you what you didn't25700:09:14.560 --> 00:09:18.460prepare for, the blessing would crush you because25800:09:18.460 --> 00:09:20.620you're not ready to receive what you've been25900:09:20.620 --> 00:09:21.420asking God for.26000:09:21.620 --> 00:09:24.900How many Christians are praying, leaders are praying,26100:09:25.220 --> 00:09:27.520God give us, they're not preparing for if26200:09:27.520 --> 00:09:29.020God actually answered them.26300:09:29.400 --> 00:09:31.240And so the thing that would come would26400:09:31.240 --> 00:09:32.180actually be a curse.26500:09:32.600 --> 00:09:33.900Such truth.26600:09:34.240 --> 00:09:34.660Absolutely.26700:09:35.720 --> 00:09:40.960You just recently, I was out of town,26800:09:41.140 --> 00:09:42.700I was watching it.26900:09:43.000 --> 00:09:44.080I was so blessed.27000:09:44.840 --> 00:09:48.140You just recently pulled off a sold out,27100:09:48.220 --> 00:09:51.960no seats left in the building, youth ministry27200:09:51.960 --> 00:09:53.380leaders training event.27300:09:53.940 --> 00:09:54.800We're in New York City.27400:09:54.880 --> 00:09:55.460We're right here.27500:09:55.560 --> 00:09:56.680We are in the heart of New York27600:09:56.680 --> 00:09:56.980City.27700:09:58.960 --> 00:10:00.120What was that?27800:10:00.740 --> 00:10:00.960Listen.27900:10:01.700 --> 00:10:03.420Where did the passion for that come from?28000:10:03.420 --> 00:10:05.060Bringing it back to New York, you're on28100:10:05.060 --> 00:10:07.140all these planes every day.28200:10:07.240 --> 00:10:09.160You're heading to a plane this evening, but28300:10:09.160 --> 00:10:10.740this is hometown.28400:10:11.340 --> 00:10:14.280I don't mean any disrespect to the way28500:10:14.280 --> 00:10:16.100that I was raised because every opportunity that28600:10:16.100 --> 00:10:17.860I have and who I am today, much28700:10:17.860 --> 00:10:19.540of it is because of how I was28800:10:19.540 --> 00:10:21.260raised and my training in my local church.28900:10:21.400 --> 00:10:22.820But I want to say that one day29000:10:22.820 --> 00:10:25.640I was sitting in church and my pastor29100:10:25.640 --> 00:10:28.740said, we're welcoming our new youth pastor.29200:10:28.740 --> 00:10:30.760In our context, we never had youth pastors,29300:10:31.020 --> 00:10:33.300especially as a woman coming from my denomination,29400:10:33.720 --> 00:10:35.980pastor and woman didn't go together.29500:10:36.400 --> 00:10:37.700We're welcoming our new pastor.29600:10:38.080 --> 00:10:40.980So we're looking around, Vandal and Kennedy.29700:10:42.940 --> 00:10:43.940I'm like, okay.29800:10:44.100 --> 00:10:45.700I was a youth leader at the time,29900:10:45.980 --> 00:10:47.840but I was not in that role.30000:10:48.080 --> 00:10:49.200So I was like, well, what does that30100:10:49.200 --> 00:10:49.520mean?30200:10:49.700 --> 00:10:51.560I began to go and look and find30300:10:51.560 --> 00:10:55.480information and I connected with people like Pastor30400:10:55.480 --> 00:10:59.340Adam who was having things at his church,30500:10:59.460 --> 00:11:03.860who was hosting refuel and reload and all30600:11:03.860 --> 00:11:05.200kinds of things like that.30700:11:05.280 --> 00:11:06.200And I began to learn.30800:11:06.340 --> 00:11:09.280I began to bring my team to those30900:11:09.280 --> 00:11:11.740kinds of things and I'm like, okay, I31000:11:11.740 --> 00:11:13.700need to be better at what I'm doing31100:11:13.700 --> 00:11:14.980if I'm going to reach this generation.31200:11:15.200 --> 00:11:16.740So it really started a quest.31300:11:16.900 --> 00:11:19.260I was already into leadership development, but it31400:11:19.260 --> 00:11:21.640really started a quest for, well, not only31500:11:21.640 --> 00:11:23.940do I need to be doing youth ministry,31600:11:24.060 --> 00:11:25.380I need to be training leaders.31700:11:25.380 --> 00:11:26.960And if I can do both at the31800:11:26.960 --> 00:11:29.880same time, then I can have exponential reach.31900:11:30.440 --> 00:11:31.480And so I spent 50% of my32000:11:31.480 --> 00:11:33.600time with young people and 50% of32100:11:33.600 --> 00:11:34.900my time building leaders.32200:11:35.480 --> 00:11:37.080And so that's where it comes from.32300:11:37.160 --> 00:11:39.380That passion is I'm giving out what I32400:11:39.380 --> 00:11:41.560wish I had, what I wish someone had32500:11:41.560 --> 00:11:43.920told me, especially in my context, because it's32600:11:43.920 --> 00:11:44.980not just, oh, we're going to pray and32700:11:44.980 --> 00:11:45.620they're going to get here.32800:11:45.960 --> 00:11:47.620No, there are all kinds of things that32900:11:47.620 --> 00:11:53.080are strategically keeping young people out of our33000:11:53.080 --> 00:11:56.020church services and from having a connection with33100:11:56.020 --> 00:11:56.280God.33200:11:56.360 --> 00:11:58.000So let's talk about those barriers for a33300:11:58.000 --> 00:11:58.140second.33400:11:58.280 --> 00:12:00.000What are the barriers you're seeing that are33500:12:00.000 --> 00:12:04.060keeping young people away from, and in some33600:12:04.060 --> 00:12:08.400cases completely just not understood, like they want33700:12:08.400 --> 00:12:10.860young people to come, but their actions or33800:12:10.860 --> 00:12:14.200the philosophy or their approach is actually a33900:12:14.200 --> 00:12:16.000barrier that is set up to keep young34000:12:16.000 --> 00:12:19.680people outside and away from the very thing34100:12:19.680 --> 00:12:20.980that they might want and that's coming to34200:12:20.980 --> 00:12:21.240God.34300:12:21.240 --> 00:12:24.320You know, Pastor Adam, we don't remove the34400:12:24.320 --> 00:12:24.940ancient landmark.34500:12:25.360 --> 00:12:27.440We know that we believe in the Bible,34600:12:27.740 --> 00:12:28.000right?34700:12:28.040 --> 00:12:28.960We believe in holiness.34800:12:29.320 --> 00:12:33.480But the method with which we give that34900:12:33.480 --> 00:12:34.420must change.35000:12:34.640 --> 00:12:36.060I would not want to go to a35100:12:36.060 --> 00:12:37.700bank, I would not want to bank with35200:12:37.700 --> 00:12:39.580a bank that does not have an ATM,35300:12:39.860 --> 00:12:42.340online banking, but we are stuck in the35400:12:42.340 --> 00:12:43.680past of how we've done things.35500:12:44.180 --> 00:12:47.260And studies show, we know Barna, Pew, Black35600:12:47.260 --> 00:12:50.540Millennial Cafe, Breonna Parker, their research shows there's35700:12:50.540 --> 00:12:51.820certain things young people want.35800:12:52.240 --> 00:12:54.060The trends were saying young people were leaving35900:12:54.060 --> 00:12:54.540the church.36000:12:54.860 --> 00:12:56.840Now Barna did a study, they're coming back,36100:12:57.200 --> 00:12:59.900but they're coming back on their terms.36200:13:00.280 --> 00:13:02.180They may not come back every Sunday.36300:13:02.920 --> 00:13:04.420They want some digital engagement.36400:13:04.840 --> 00:13:08.920They want social justice embedded in ministry.36500:13:09.080 --> 00:13:10.700They want holistic ministry.36600:13:11.060 --> 00:13:13.500How are their whole lives connected to Christ?36700:13:14.020 --> 00:13:15.340They want community.36800:13:16.060 --> 00:13:16.940So what does that mean?36900:13:17.600 --> 00:13:19.900I'm consulting with a church who has a37000:13:19.900 --> 00:13:21.860lot of young people in the community, but37100:13:21.860 --> 00:13:23.180could not get them to come in.37200:13:23.280 --> 00:13:25.140I said, well, there's a Starbucks on the37300:13:25.140 --> 00:13:25.360corner.37400:13:26.180 --> 00:13:28.540You ever thought about going out and having37500:13:28.540 --> 00:13:29.060a Bible study?37600:13:29.220 --> 00:13:31.300They have a phenomenal Bible study now once37700:13:31.300 --> 00:13:32.340a week at Starbucks.37800:13:34.040 --> 00:13:35.800But some of those people have come to37900:13:35.800 --> 00:13:36.840join and some have not.38000:13:37.160 --> 00:13:38.920But if our goal is Christ and getting38100:13:38.920 --> 00:13:41.720them to Christ, it's not about having people38200:13:41.720 --> 00:13:43.320in the seat solely.38300:13:43.320 --> 00:13:48.120I was in a Starbucks in Austin on38400:13:48.120 --> 00:13:50.940Sunday and I was waiting to get my38500:13:50.940 --> 00:13:54.920quad espresso macchiato, so four shots of espresso.38600:13:55.200 --> 00:13:57.720So if you wonder why, it's just energy.38700:13:57.960 --> 00:13:58.340That's it.38800:13:58.780 --> 00:14:00.580And so I'm standing there and I'm waiting38900:14:00.580 --> 00:14:02.240for my espresso drink to be made.39000:14:02.700 --> 00:14:04.840And I noticed, you know, when Starbucks was39100:14:04.840 --> 00:14:07.880really popping back, they were the third space.39200:14:08.740 --> 00:14:10.020You know, so it was, you had your39300:14:10.020 --> 00:14:12.240workspace, you had your home space, and then39400:14:12.240 --> 00:14:15.260they wanted to create this community third space.39500:14:15.620 --> 00:14:18.100But now with the mobile order, they come39600:14:18.100 --> 00:14:20.800in, they're, you know, your order is A39700:14:20.800 --> 00:14:23.020through M over here and N through Z39800:14:23.020 --> 00:14:25.600over here, and nobody looks up, nobody says39900:14:25.600 --> 00:14:26.700please, nobody says thank you.40000:14:26.900 --> 00:14:28.660But there is a group of people that40100:14:28.660 --> 00:14:30.820are craving community.40200:14:31.020 --> 00:14:33.480They're living in their algorithm, they're living in40300:14:33.480 --> 00:14:34.160isolation.40400:14:34.620 --> 00:14:37.460How are you seeing that impact young people?40500:14:37.880 --> 00:14:41.380And I'll be specific, young people in urban40600:14:41.380 --> 00:14:42.680context specifically.40700:14:43.440 --> 00:14:47.700So wow, super, super, super duper true.40800:14:48.820 --> 00:14:49.300They...40900:14:49.300 --> 00:14:51.320I mean, they're in busy places, so I'm41000:14:51.320 --> 00:14:52.440not talking about rural America.41100:14:52.680 --> 00:14:55.040They are in crowded spaces and they're alone.41200:14:55.460 --> 00:14:56.960How are you in a crowded space alone?41300:14:57.040 --> 00:14:57.400And alone.41400:14:58.200 --> 00:14:58.600Absolutely.41500:14:58.860 --> 00:14:59.380And they're...41600:14:59.380 --> 00:15:00.860But yet they're craving the community.41700:15:00.980 --> 00:15:01.080Yes.41800:15:01.080 --> 00:15:02.940So they're creating these communities online.41900:15:03.100 --> 00:15:03.440Yes.42000:15:03.500 --> 00:15:04.820There's a lot of digital engagement.42100:15:05.000 --> 00:15:05.800A lot of communities.42200:15:05.800 --> 00:15:05.920A lot of communities.42300:15:06.140 --> 00:15:08.860A lot of people, even in my denomination,42400:15:09.120 --> 00:15:11.180they have come together online.42500:15:11.740 --> 00:15:14.800They're in Facebook groups and support groups together,42600:15:15.060 --> 00:15:15.400right?42700:15:15.540 --> 00:15:18.180And so finding ways to make sure that42800:15:18.180 --> 00:15:20.340we capitalize upon that and not just say,42900:15:20.440 --> 00:15:21.560well, you have to come in here.43000:15:21.820 --> 00:15:24.220What are we doing to create those spaces?43100:15:26.500 --> 00:15:27.880It's really sad, though.43200:15:28.080 --> 00:15:28.700It's really sad.43300:15:28.740 --> 00:15:30.740And that ties to the mental health crisis43400:15:30.740 --> 00:15:31.260also.43500:15:31.380 --> 00:15:31.620Okay.43600:15:31.700 --> 00:15:32.480With young people.43700:15:32.720 --> 00:15:33.320Talk about that.43800:15:33.320 --> 00:15:34.040Yeah.43900:15:34.040 --> 00:15:36.280Because this is, as you've seen the research,44000:15:36.740 --> 00:15:40.560this Gen Z has the highest anxiety rates.44100:15:40.560 --> 00:15:41.560Anxiety rates are off the charts.44200:15:41.560 --> 00:15:42.920And suicide rates.44300:15:42.920 --> 00:15:43.180Yes.44400:15:43.460 --> 00:15:46.780And so with the world, everything that's happening,44500:15:47.040 --> 00:15:51.300we're not creating that connection that would allow44600:15:51.300 --> 00:15:53.700them to be able to connect in real44700:15:53.700 --> 00:15:55.300ways around real things.44800:15:55.360 --> 00:15:55.780Yes.44900:15:55.920 --> 00:15:56.700That's the other thing.45000:15:56.920 --> 00:15:59.380What are they connecting around, right?45100:15:59.560 --> 00:16:01.600Are they just connecting around clapping on Sunday45200:16:01.600 --> 00:16:01.900morning?45300:16:01.900 --> 00:16:03.920Are they connecting around the fears that they45400:16:03.920 --> 00:16:07.560really have all week and seeing people gunned45500:16:07.560 --> 00:16:08.700down in the street, right?45600:16:08.780 --> 00:16:10.940Or things that are happening in the government.45700:16:11.780 --> 00:16:14.580So I think finding ways to bring all45800:16:14.580 --> 00:16:16.480of that together is key.45900:16:17.720 --> 00:16:20.540My pastor, Pastor Jamal Bernard, who's now the46000:16:20.540 --> 00:16:21.960lead pastor at the Christian Cult Center, has46100:16:21.960 --> 00:16:23.080a real heart for this.46200:16:23.580 --> 00:16:27.240Mental health awareness, dealing with young people and46300:16:27.240 --> 00:16:29.220what they're dealing with, this level of anxiety.46400:16:29.660 --> 00:16:30.780I grew up at a time where it46500:16:30.780 --> 00:16:31.880was like, well, just pray it out.46600:16:32.380 --> 00:16:34.540Somebody put oil on them, lay hands on46700:16:34.540 --> 00:16:35.820them, and we're just going to risk.46800:16:36.100 --> 00:16:39.560And I'm not negating that the power of46900:16:39.560 --> 00:16:40.860God to heal is not real.47000:16:40.940 --> 00:16:42.220I'm a hundred percent about that.47100:16:42.260 --> 00:16:42.860I preach that.47200:16:42.940 --> 00:16:44.380I believe that by faith.47300:16:44.540 --> 00:16:48.440But there are some real issues that are47400:16:48.440 --> 00:16:52.000beneath the surface that need to be addressed.47500:16:52.140 --> 00:16:55.020And you're leading a denomination that is reaching47600:16:55.020 --> 00:16:57.840young people and young adults in the millions.47700:16:57.840 --> 00:17:02.100How are you speaking to that as a47800:17:02.100 --> 00:17:05.180leader of youth ministries, dealing with young people47900:17:05.180 --> 00:17:07.420that are just, they're out there, what's in48000:17:07.420 --> 00:17:07.900some of them?48100:17:08.119 --> 00:17:09.599I believe in Jesus and therapy.48200:17:09.800 --> 00:17:10.160Yes.48300:17:10.800 --> 00:17:12.920Christian therapy, if you can find, right?48400:17:13.040 --> 00:17:13.180Yes.48500:17:13.460 --> 00:17:14.520But Jesus and therapy.48600:17:15.079 --> 00:17:17.960And for those who say, well, no, just48700:17:17.960 --> 00:17:19.599lay hands on them and it's the oil,48800:17:20.140 --> 00:17:21.859yes, Jesus is enough.48900:17:21.859 --> 00:17:24.300But I will say, if I ate McDonald's49000:17:24.300 --> 00:17:27.800for 30 days straight, my cholesterol, my high,49100:17:27.880 --> 00:17:31.840my blood pressure, my insulin levels, everything would49200:17:31.840 --> 00:17:32.720be elevated, right?49300:17:32.860 --> 00:17:34.680And I would have to see a doctor49400:17:34.680 --> 00:17:35.280or get some medicine.49500:17:35.860 --> 00:17:37.500With the world that we're living in, with49600:17:37.500 --> 00:17:39.740the technology, the digital age, so much is49700:17:39.740 --> 00:17:40.620coming back and forth.49800:17:40.860 --> 00:17:43.440Our minds have so much more to deal49900:17:43.440 --> 00:17:45.800with than we had to deal with when50000:17:45.800 --> 00:17:46.680we were growing up.50100:17:46.780 --> 00:17:49.100And so we cannot discount that.50200:17:49.100 --> 00:17:51.440We must bring that to light and have50300:17:51.440 --> 00:17:54.700conversations and send people to therapy, right?50400:17:54.980 --> 00:17:57.140Send people to have conversations or just to50500:17:57.140 --> 00:17:59.780even call it out and say, you know50600:17:59.780 --> 00:18:00.040what?50700:18:00.160 --> 00:18:01.240Anxiety is real.50800:18:02.060 --> 00:18:04.400When you have someone who was kidnapped from50900:18:04.400 --> 00:18:10.000their home, 84 years old, kidnapped from their51000:18:10.000 --> 00:18:10.320home.51100:18:10.380 --> 00:18:10.720Yes.51200:18:11.140 --> 00:18:12.440That's a real thing.51300:18:12.480 --> 00:18:12.920Yes.51400:18:13.120 --> 00:18:15.060When you have people that are being gunned51500:18:15.060 --> 00:18:16.800down in the street, that's a real thing.51600:18:17.170 --> 00:18:19.220And in our communities, our children have seen51700:18:19.220 --> 00:18:20.240so much trauma.51800:18:21.300 --> 00:18:25.620We're talking about now trauma-informed discipleship because51900:18:25.620 --> 00:18:27.820they're dealing with so much.52000:18:27.880 --> 00:18:28.820How can you just go on?52100:18:28.860 --> 00:18:30.520You see people get killed and you just52200:18:30.520 --> 00:18:31.980go on and clap the next day.52300:18:32.820 --> 00:18:33.740So yeah.52400:18:34.020 --> 00:18:34.260Yeah.52500:18:34.300 --> 00:18:35.660I think calling attention to it.52600:18:35.860 --> 00:18:38.400You're talking about going.52700:18:39.340 --> 00:18:41.560Jesus said to go and make disciples.52800:18:41.820 --> 00:18:43.660And somehow the church just keeps saying, come.52900:18:45.260 --> 00:18:46.880We're supposed to leave the building.53000:18:47.300 --> 00:18:50.900We're supposed to engage young people where they53100:18:50.900 --> 00:18:51.660are.53200:18:51.840 --> 00:18:54.160And in spite of what it looks like,53300:18:54.820 --> 00:18:55.900you know, you have to catch the fish53400:18:55.900 --> 00:18:56.640before you clean it.53500:18:56.720 --> 00:18:58.620I mean, so we're not judging them for53600:18:58.620 --> 00:18:59.940where they are currently.53700:19:00.040 --> 00:19:01.380What we're saying is we need to leave53800:19:01.380 --> 00:19:03.740the building, get to where they are and53900:19:03.740 --> 00:19:06.120then build a bridge where they can understand54000:19:06.120 --> 00:19:07.780that Jesus loves them in the middle of54100:19:07.780 --> 00:19:09.660their trauma, in the middle of their anxiety,54200:19:09.840 --> 00:19:13.580and that he's the answer and it may54300:19:13.580 --> 00:19:15.720require additional help.54400:19:15.900 --> 00:19:16.440Absolutely.54500:19:17.960 --> 00:19:20.960This is, we're looking at this as a54600:19:20.960 --> 00:19:23.260crisis, but it's really an opportunity.54700:19:23.620 --> 00:19:24.100Yes.54800:19:24.780 --> 00:19:25.300Yes.54900:19:25.420 --> 00:19:28.800The church, we have an opportunity to win55000:19:28.800 --> 00:19:29.380more souls.55100:19:29.480 --> 00:19:31.200If we could just kind of shift our55200:19:31.200 --> 00:19:34.060minds and ask God to give a strategy55300:19:34.060 --> 00:19:37.880for now, we really have the opportunity to55400:19:37.880 --> 00:19:39.960win more souls than ever.55500:19:40.260 --> 00:19:43.340Also because this, I say this generation a55600:19:43.340 --> 00:19:46.280lot, but this generation wants to learn from55700:19:46.280 --> 00:19:46.940each other.55800:19:47.560 --> 00:19:51.480The paradigm, the model of top-down, I55900:19:51.480 --> 00:19:55.300teach you, that's not making it anymore.56000:19:55.560 --> 00:19:56.800They want to learn from each other.56100:19:56.900 --> 00:19:59.220And so the model now, our opportunity is56200:19:59.220 --> 00:20:02.420to empower them so that they can reach56300:20:02.420 --> 00:20:05.360their own And we can be sitting, right,56400:20:05.440 --> 00:20:09.640or kind of guiding, facilitating, saying, hmm, not56500:20:09.640 --> 00:20:11.580that, you know, as opposed to saying, oh,56600:20:11.600 --> 00:20:12.360you're not ready yet.56700:20:12.480 --> 00:20:13.240You're not ready to leave.56800:20:13.320 --> 00:20:13.940Come over here.56900:20:14.040 --> 00:20:15.200And then you just sit and wait.57000:20:15.360 --> 00:20:16.340They're not doing that anymore.57100:20:16.420 --> 00:20:18.160Let's talk about the emerging leader for a57200:20:18.160 --> 00:20:21.640second, because only in Christendom is the emerging57300:20:21.640 --> 00:20:22.320leader 35.57400:20:23.340 --> 00:20:26.300In Silicon Valley, the emerging leader is 22.57500:20:26.760 --> 00:20:29.320And somehow we're putting people on the sidelines57600:20:29.320 --> 00:20:31.500and they're in their 30s.57700:20:31.500 --> 00:20:34.680I mean, I don't know when, at some57800:20:34.680 --> 00:20:36.760point, I'm going to emerge, but I've been57900:20:36.760 --> 00:20:38.920paying a mortgage for like 25 years and58000:20:38.920 --> 00:20:42.320I've been married more than 25 years.58100:20:42.820 --> 00:20:46.280You know, like, why are we not putting58200:20:46.280 --> 00:20:47.360the ball in their hands?58300:20:47.460 --> 00:20:49.180Like, why are we not like, hey, here's58400:20:49.180 --> 00:20:49.800the assist.58500:20:50.600 --> 00:20:52.040What are we waiting for?58600:20:52.140 --> 00:20:53.820They're screaming, put me in the game, Coach.58700:20:53.820 --> 00:20:58.580But I think between old models of you58800:20:58.580 --> 00:21:00.640have to wait till a certain time, between58900:21:00.640 --> 00:21:04.260that, between leaders who are insecure, who are59000:21:04.260 --> 00:21:06.280afraid that someone is going to take their59100:21:06.280 --> 00:21:08.680spot, we're not putting them in the game.59200:21:08.840 --> 00:21:11.600But watch this, they're creating their own game.59300:21:13.560 --> 00:21:16.680And that's the issue, because the platforms and59400:21:16.680 --> 00:21:18.720the stages and the opportunities that we used59500:21:18.720 --> 00:21:20.880to kind of give out and kind of59600:21:20.880 --> 00:21:22.520dangle, that used to be dangled, they don't59700:21:22.520 --> 00:21:24.540care about it anymore because they've created their59800:21:24.540 --> 00:21:30.340own stages, conferences, podcasts, opportunities, followings, and not59900:21:30.340 --> 00:21:31.060when they're perfect.60000:21:31.440 --> 00:21:34.960I know more young people on TikTok who60100:21:34.960 --> 00:21:38.760are helping to disciple people who are not60200:21:38.760 --> 00:21:42.460necessarily even connected to a ministry, but they60300:21:42.460 --> 00:21:44.480have found God and they just want to60400:21:44.480 --> 00:21:44.780share.60500:21:45.020 --> 00:21:47.940If we don't see the opportunity that we60600:21:47.940 --> 00:21:50.660can come alongside, we're going to miss an60700:21:50.660 --> 00:21:55.300entire generation and we're going to help young60800:21:55.300 --> 00:22:00.280people to sometimes not do it right without60900:22:00.820 --> 00:22:04.360the help and the guidance, because we've rejected61000:22:04.360 --> 00:22:06.260them so much, they don't want to even61100:22:06.260 --> 00:22:06.980get our guidance.61200:22:07.420 --> 00:22:09.280And so now they're giving out erroneous information61300:22:09.280 --> 00:22:11.800and there's some malpractice happening there.61400:22:11.980 --> 00:22:14.620But at the same time, they're discipling their61500:22:14.620 --> 00:22:14.800own.61600:22:14.800 --> 00:22:17.700I love the model of 2 Kings chapter61700:22:17.700 --> 00:22:21.400two, Elijah and Elisha are walking on together.61800:22:22.230 --> 00:22:23.980And I don't think they're looking for our61900:22:23.980 --> 00:22:24.320dissertation.62000:22:25.040 --> 00:22:27.080I don't think they're looking for another leadership62100:22:27.080 --> 00:22:27.500talk.62200:22:27.620 --> 00:22:28.820There's content everywhere.62300:22:29.200 --> 00:22:31.660What they're looking for is, are you going62400:22:31.660 --> 00:22:32.960to model this thing?62500:22:33.020 --> 00:22:34.940Are you going to walk this thing out62600:22:34.940 --> 00:22:36.460and let me follow you?62700:22:36.520 --> 00:22:38.080I had a young person that came out62800:22:38.080 --> 00:22:40.420of my youth ministry, I remember, I'll never62900:22:40.420 --> 00:22:41.080forget it.63000:22:41.440 --> 00:22:42.700He was 14 years old.63100:22:44.060 --> 00:22:46.520He was like a son to my wife63200:22:46.520 --> 00:22:48.260and I, he'd spend Christmas in our home63300:22:48.260 --> 00:22:52.200and he was aspiring to play drums.63400:22:52.460 --> 00:22:54.880And I remember our worship pastor just told63500:22:54.880 --> 00:22:56.440him one day at 14 years old, you'll63600:22:56.440 --> 00:22:57.600never play drums in this church.63700:22:58.440 --> 00:23:00.940He had no grace for the learning.63800:23:01.040 --> 00:23:02.780He had no grace for the failure.63900:23:02.840 --> 00:23:04.000But when you're in a relationship, you have64000:23:04.000 --> 00:23:05.800grace for that person's shortcomings.64100:23:06.540 --> 00:23:08.920He's played now on Jimmy Kimmel, Saturday Night64200:23:08.920 --> 00:23:12.380Live, Jay-Z, Kanye, TV on the radio.64300:23:12.560 --> 00:23:14.080He's played all over the world.64400:23:14.660 --> 00:23:16.020People pay him to play.64500:23:16.500 --> 00:23:18.280And when he tells me, when we talk,64600:23:18.360 --> 00:23:19.980he says to me, Pastor Adam, you remember64700:23:19.980 --> 00:23:21.540that time when he took me out bogging?64800:23:21.920 --> 00:23:23.860You remember that time when he took me64900:23:23.860 --> 00:23:25.640out to eat and showed me how to65000:23:25.640 --> 00:23:26.500use a knife and fork?65100:23:26.700 --> 00:23:29.540Our young people are looking for models more65200:23:29.540 --> 00:23:30.700than they're looking for your message.65300:23:30.880 --> 00:23:31.320Absolutely.65400:23:31.640 --> 00:23:33.000Then they want to know that you see65500:23:33.000 --> 00:23:33.240them.65600:23:33.400 --> 00:23:34.600Do you see me?65700:23:34.660 --> 00:23:35.380Do you hear me?65800:23:35.380 --> 00:23:37.520I know you can beat me with a65900:23:37.520 --> 00:23:39.880scripture, but do you see and hear me?66000:23:40.040 --> 00:23:41.420Do you know what I'm concerned about?66100:23:41.840 --> 00:23:43.800I want to walk alongside you.66200:23:44.280 --> 00:23:46.440And so that's exactly what they're looking for.66300:23:46.460 --> 00:23:48.900And in his case, his dad was an66400:23:48.900 --> 00:23:51.920alcoholic and gambler and all that.66500:23:52.300 --> 00:23:53.940He needed to see, what does a man66600:23:53.940 --> 00:23:54.320look like?66700:23:54.640 --> 00:23:56.300Not me telling him what a man, how66800:23:56.300 --> 00:23:57.060do you treat a woman?66900:23:57.340 --> 00:24:00.640You can watch me, watch my, Paul said,67000:24:00.880 --> 00:24:03.360my life and doctrine closely.67100:24:03.940 --> 00:24:04.920Life is first.67200:24:05.340 --> 00:24:06.620Your theology might be great.67300:24:06.900 --> 00:24:08.480We've got too many people with great theology67400:24:08.480 --> 00:24:09.840that are not living it out the way67500:24:09.840 --> 00:24:10.880they need to be living it out.67600:24:10.980 --> 00:24:11.180That's good.67700:24:11.340 --> 00:24:13.680And when you're doing what you're doing, Vanderwin,67800:24:13.980 --> 00:24:18.520you're actually embodying for them a visible image67900:24:18.520 --> 00:24:19.580of the invisible God.68000:24:19.600 --> 00:24:22.260Not that we're perfect, but we are putting68100:24:22.260 --> 00:24:25.260on display God incarnate, God in the flesh.68200:24:25.300 --> 00:24:26.060Sure, sure.68300:24:26.120 --> 00:24:26.280All right.68400:24:26.300 --> 00:24:27.140Well, let's get to your bill.68500:24:27.280 --> 00:24:27.660Yes.68600:24:27.660 --> 00:24:32.160First things first, win your day and transform68700:24:32.160 --> 00:24:34.140your life.68800:24:34.660 --> 00:24:36.460What inspired you to write this book?68900:24:38.900 --> 00:24:42.320Pastor Adam, we spend a lot of time69000:24:42.320 --> 00:24:44.580in church, but not a lot of time69100:24:44.580 --> 00:24:45.100with God.69200:24:46.420 --> 00:24:46.980Yes.69300:24:48.000 --> 00:24:50.440And I talk about this in the preface.69400:24:50.700 --> 00:24:54.160One day I had two mentors, people, trusted69500:24:54.160 --> 00:24:56.220voices, prophetic voices in my life.69600:24:56.300 --> 00:24:57.300I had to make a decision.69700:24:57.420 --> 00:24:58.340I asked both of them.69800:24:58.340 --> 00:24:59.100We prayed.69900:24:59.380 --> 00:25:00.820One of them told me to go left70000:25:00.820 --> 00:25:02.580and the other said, go right.70100:25:03.140 --> 00:25:04.520Totally opposite things.70200:25:04.880 --> 00:25:05.700This was years ago.70300:25:06.040 --> 00:25:08.300And I said that day, I've got to70400:25:08.300 --> 00:25:10.860know the voice of God for myself.70500:25:11.060 --> 00:25:12.940I know church, I know service, but I70600:25:12.940 --> 00:25:14.100need to know the voice of God.70700:25:14.560 --> 00:25:16.040And the Lord has just taken me on70800:25:16.040 --> 00:25:20.100a journey of putting Him first in my70900:25:20.100 --> 00:25:23.240day, making sure that I can speak to71000:25:23.240 --> 00:25:26.260Him, hear Him and taking time aside to71100:25:26.260 --> 00:25:26.780put Him first.71200:25:26.780 --> 00:25:29.380You know, Pastor Adam, you're gifted, you're anointed,71300:25:29.980 --> 00:25:31.260you're a connector, you have a lot of71400:25:31.260 --> 00:25:31.720opportunities.71500:25:32.000 --> 00:25:34.320If we're not careful, we'll be doing the71600:25:34.320 --> 00:25:37.000work of God and not spending time with71700:25:37.000 --> 00:25:37.760the God of the work.71800:25:37.860 --> 00:25:38.200Yes.71900:25:38.420 --> 00:25:41.020This is a journey that the Lord has72000:25:41.020 --> 00:25:44.080taken me through and a principle that I've72100:25:44.080 --> 00:25:46.180applied in my life that has made all72200:25:46.180 --> 00:25:47.240the difference in my life.72300:25:47.700 --> 00:25:49.560What you do in the first part of72400:25:49.560 --> 00:25:53.580your day really helps to plan what your72500:25:53.580 --> 00:25:54.340day is going to be.72600:25:54.340 --> 00:25:55.000It sets the tone.72700:25:55.000 --> 00:25:57.520And then for your life.72800:25:57.800 --> 00:26:00.460So I deal in here with my struggles72900:26:00.460 --> 00:26:04.060with anxiety and depression and how the Lord73000:26:04.060 --> 00:26:06.840has helped me in that time, the first73100:26:06.840 --> 00:26:08.420part of your day, because I deal with73200:26:08.420 --> 00:26:13.620research and, you know, the chemicals in the73300:26:13.620 --> 00:26:16.400body that first thing in the morning, cortisone,73400:26:16.660 --> 00:26:19.280serotonin, first thing in the morning, they're high,73500:26:19.480 --> 00:26:19.740right?73600:26:19.760 --> 00:26:21.740How do we get them to be lower?73700:26:22.020 --> 00:26:23.260You know, you can want to pull the73800:26:23.260 --> 00:26:24.020covers back up.73900:26:24.020 --> 00:26:25.240You're thinking about your to-do list.74000:26:25.320 --> 00:26:26.460You're thinking about all you haven't done, your74100:26:26.460 --> 00:26:26.860mistakes.74200:26:27.200 --> 00:26:29.420And so First Things First is an opportunity74300:26:29.420 --> 00:26:32.540to shut all that down and just throw74400:26:32.540 --> 00:26:34.900yourself over into the presence of God, jump74500:26:34.900 --> 00:26:36.300up, right?74600:26:36.600 --> 00:26:39.200And so it's a journey about how to74700:26:39.200 --> 00:26:41.560put God first in the first part of74800:26:41.560 --> 00:26:44.340your day and when your life, your mindset,74900:26:44.960 --> 00:26:46.800research, there's research in here.75000:26:47.760 --> 00:26:49.020Just a journey.75100:26:49.020 --> 00:26:51.800You said something that is so critical because75200:26:51.800 --> 00:26:55.500we're watching some of our heroes fail.75300:26:56.500 --> 00:26:59.140And I heard one time a pastor say,75400:26:59.740 --> 00:27:02.520burnout occurs when the work of God through75500:27:02.520 --> 00:27:04.980you outpaces the work of God in you.75600:27:05.860 --> 00:27:09.140You said you could be doing the work75700:27:09.140 --> 00:27:12.620of God without the God of the work.75800:27:12.780 --> 00:27:17.300How does that dichotomy, how do leaders continue75900:27:17.300 --> 00:27:19.800to lead in the middle of a dichotomy76000:27:19.800 --> 00:27:23.040between what they're showing on the platform, what76100:27:23.040 --> 00:27:25.740everybody's seeing on social media and their soul76200:27:25.740 --> 00:27:26.220is lean?76300:27:26.420 --> 00:27:29.040One of my mentors said, if the light76400:27:29.040 --> 00:27:32.220on you is shining greater than the light76500:27:32.220 --> 00:27:35.560in you, you're going to be in trouble.76600:27:36.740 --> 00:27:39.940And so because of the society and the76700:27:39.940 --> 00:27:42.980giftedness, and I've been there, and I talk76800:27:42.980 --> 00:27:43.620about it here.76900:27:43.800 --> 00:27:46.120I've been there because when you're gifted, when77000:27:46.120 --> 00:27:48.000you're anointed, when you're called on and pulled77100:27:48.000 --> 00:27:49.820on, it is very easy.77200:27:50.180 --> 00:27:51.920It is not something I'm saying, oh, everyone77300:27:51.920 --> 00:27:52.180else.77400:27:52.400 --> 00:27:54.300It is something that daily I have to77500:27:54.300 --> 00:27:56.160say, oh, this will not be the case.77600:27:56.580 --> 00:28:01.600My emotional and spiritual health must be to77700:28:01.600 --> 00:28:04.000the point that God can use me so77800:28:04.000 --> 00:28:06.240that people are not just seeing a performance.77900:28:07.060 --> 00:28:08.540God doesn't want performers.78000:28:09.000 --> 00:28:11.140He wants those that are living and dwelling78100:28:11.140 --> 00:28:11.760with him.78200:28:11.760 --> 00:28:14.820And so it's so important, our soul care78300:28:14.820 --> 00:28:15.880and our spiritual care.78400:28:16.460 --> 00:28:18.880Because our heart is prone to wander.78500:28:20.140 --> 00:28:27.040How do you ensure that you're so busy78600:28:27.040 --> 00:28:29.500doing so many things, and to the leader78700:28:29.500 --> 00:28:33.200that's got so much on their plate, probably78800:28:33.200 --> 00:28:35.880more than they could actually accomplish, how do78900:28:35.880 --> 00:28:37.180you ensure you stay rested?79000:28:37.180 --> 00:28:39.580How do you ensure you stay in the79100:28:39.580 --> 00:28:43.620place where you're out, you're ministering, not out79200:28:43.620 --> 00:28:45.260of your lack, but out of the overflow79300:28:45.260 --> 00:28:46.540of God in your life?79400:28:46.600 --> 00:28:48.000I mean, I tell people all the time,79500:28:48.060 --> 00:28:50.900I don't think when David stayed home, when79600:28:50.900 --> 00:28:52.360Kings go out to war and he winds79700:28:52.360 --> 00:28:53.580up falling over sheep, I don't think he79800:28:53.580 --> 00:28:54.160was evil.79900:28:54.420 --> 00:28:55.520I think he was tired.80000:28:56.100 --> 00:28:57.860I think he was just tired of fighting.80100:28:58.120 --> 00:29:00.780And at some point, you know, the fatigue80200:29:00.780 --> 00:29:04.280level of fighting, how do you ensure your80300:29:04.280 --> 00:29:05.720rhythms are healthy?80400:29:05.980 --> 00:29:06.500That's good.80500:29:06.500 --> 00:29:07.880I think, number one, there are a few80600:29:07.880 --> 00:29:08.160things.80700:29:08.240 --> 00:29:10.560Number one, I think who you have surrounding80800:29:10.560 --> 00:29:12.340you is very important.80900:29:13.440 --> 00:29:15.520If you're a leader, there has to be81000:29:15.520 --> 00:29:19.320someone too, that will say, too much.81100:29:19.560 --> 00:29:21.860So I think your leader, those that you81200:29:21.860 --> 00:29:22.400are surrounding.81300:29:22.480 --> 00:29:26.180Your leader, meaning somebody who's got permission to81400:29:26.180 --> 00:29:29.120say, hey, I'm watching this.81500:29:29.240 --> 00:29:29.660That's right.81600:29:29.920 --> 00:29:30.320That's right.81700:29:30.560 --> 00:29:32.880You said a few minutes ago, something Pastor81800:29:32.880 --> 00:29:34.220Bernard told you, right?81900:29:34.420 --> 00:29:36.160He said, I think the Lord is saying82000:29:36.160 --> 00:29:36.480this.82100:29:36.480 --> 00:29:37.880Because of something that would happen.82200:29:38.100 --> 00:29:40.560You need trusted voices in your life that82300:29:40.560 --> 00:29:42.220can speak to you, that you will receive,82400:29:42.320 --> 00:29:44.760that you have submitted yourself to.82500:29:45.000 --> 00:29:47.000Now that's what we as leaders need to82600:29:47.000 --> 00:29:49.080do because we're used to people submitting, but82700:29:49.080 --> 00:29:51.840we need people that we're submitted to so82800:29:51.840 --> 00:29:52.500that we can hear.82900:29:52.800 --> 00:29:55.060And then we need trusted friends that will83000:29:55.060 --> 00:29:57.240say, but then we also need to take83100:29:57.240 --> 00:29:58.400a look and slow down.83200:29:59.000 --> 00:30:00.360Therapy has helped with that.83300:30:00.700 --> 00:30:03.160Because sometimes the running, running, running we're doing83400:30:03.160 --> 00:30:05.780is we're running from something.83500:30:05.780 --> 00:30:06.800Covering stuff up.83600:30:07.120 --> 00:30:07.960Covering stuff up.83700:30:08.120 --> 00:30:08.360Come on.83800:30:08.380 --> 00:30:09.080Talk about that.83900:30:09.360 --> 00:30:09.940Talking about that.84000:30:10.300 --> 00:30:12.580We don't want to deal with ourselves.84100:30:13.020 --> 00:30:14.900We don't want to deal with our real84200:30:14.900 --> 00:30:15.340issues.84300:30:15.660 --> 00:30:17.560So it's easier to help you with yours84400:30:17.560 --> 00:30:19.220and to do this and have so many84500:30:19.220 --> 00:30:19.640programs.84600:30:20.560 --> 00:30:23.020And so God is not pleased with that.84700:30:23.220 --> 00:30:26.160He wants to be a part of every84800:30:26.160 --> 00:30:27.760area of our lives and get into those84900:30:27.760 --> 00:30:30.100cracks and crevices so that we can minister85000:30:30.100 --> 00:30:31.980out of a healthy place.85100:30:32.040 --> 00:30:33.700So I would say we need to slow85200:30:33.700 --> 00:30:34.040down.85300:30:34.040 --> 00:30:35.280And this is a great, this is the85400:30:35.280 --> 00:30:36.400beginning of the year.85500:30:36.840 --> 00:30:38.320Slow down and take inventory.85600:30:38.720 --> 00:30:40.400Ask God to come in those places that85700:30:40.400 --> 00:30:41.360we don't want to look at.85800:30:41.480 --> 00:30:43.240You know, Moses is at the burning bush85900:30:43.240 --> 00:30:45.680and God tells him to reach beneath his86000:30:45.680 --> 00:30:49.140cloak, the outer garment, the facade, what everybody86100:30:49.140 --> 00:30:49.540else sees.86200:30:49.660 --> 00:30:51.380And the bottom line is leaders have facades.86300:30:51.760 --> 00:30:53.460We want people to see us in a86400:30:53.460 --> 00:30:53.860certain light.86500:30:54.040 --> 00:30:55.700And when he reaches beneath it, his hand86600:30:55.700 --> 00:30:56.860comes out and it's leprous.86700:30:57.440 --> 00:30:59.280Represents sin and death in the Bible.86800:30:59.740 --> 00:31:02.140And God will never expose to embarrass.86900:31:02.320 --> 00:31:03.920He exposes so that we can see it.87000:31:04.040 --> 00:31:05.120But let's be honest.87100:31:05.260 --> 00:31:08.880The busyness is a coverup for all of87200:31:08.880 --> 00:31:10.780the stuff that's going on in here that87300:31:10.780 --> 00:31:11.900we don't want to deal with because it's87400:31:11.900 --> 00:31:14.660easier to stay busy, just keep going and87500:31:14.660 --> 00:31:16.440somehow let the adrenaline keep moving us.87600:31:16.580 --> 00:31:18.860And then, you know, why, why take the87700:31:18.860 --> 00:31:21.580time to really deal with Adam and the87800:31:21.580 --> 00:31:23.560stuff that's going on inside of here that's87900:31:23.560 --> 00:31:25.020rotting him from the inside out?88000:31:25.240 --> 00:31:26.400That's right.88100:31:26.520 --> 00:31:27.980I've recently had to make a lot of88200:31:27.980 --> 00:31:29.220changes because of that.88300:31:29.560 --> 00:31:30.900You know, I've really had to just say88400:31:30.900 --> 00:31:32.300now, wait, what do you know?88500:31:32.340 --> 00:31:32.760I'm sorry.88600:31:32.780 --> 00:31:33.420I can't come.88700:31:34.140 --> 00:31:34.880No, I'm sorry.88800:31:34.960 --> 00:31:35.520I can't do that.88900:31:35.520 --> 00:31:36.220It's not hard.89000:31:37.220 --> 00:31:37.940Not now.89100:31:38.040 --> 00:31:38.880Maybe because I'm getting older.89200:31:39.020 --> 00:31:39.240Okay.89300:31:39.480 --> 00:31:39.760Okay.89400:31:39.840 --> 00:31:40.480I'm getting older.89500:31:41.160 --> 00:31:43.620It is hard, but it's also when you89600:31:43.620 --> 00:31:44.880get to a certain place where you're like,89700:31:45.060 --> 00:31:47.200wait a minute, this is not making sense.89800:31:47.240 --> 00:31:48.120It's not adding up.89900:31:48.180 --> 00:31:49.740Then it becomes much easier.90000:31:49.860 --> 00:31:52.400And then being a single woman, that's a90100:31:52.400 --> 00:31:54.640whole different layer to it.90200:31:54.700 --> 00:31:54.940Right.90300:31:55.380 --> 00:31:58.680Um, because not having children and not having90400:31:58.680 --> 00:32:01.660a spouse, then I have the time to90500:32:01.660 --> 00:32:03.480go, but then I have to pull that90600:32:03.480 --> 00:32:05.120back and say, just because I have the90700:32:05.120 --> 00:32:07.260time does not mean I should go.90800:32:07.760 --> 00:32:10.200How do you, what's the, what's the litmus90900:32:10.200 --> 00:32:12.080test for yes or no in your life?91000:32:12.080 --> 00:32:13.560Is it, is it purpose?91100:32:13.600 --> 00:32:15.240Is it season?91200:32:15.400 --> 00:32:16.920Is it timing?91300:32:17.140 --> 00:32:18.680What, what does that, when you have to91400:32:18.680 --> 00:32:21.720decide, cause you have got more opportunities than91500:32:21.720 --> 00:32:23.620that you've got time to do.91600:32:23.680 --> 00:32:25.240You can, you can go anywhere, preach anywhere91700:32:25.240 --> 00:32:26.080all over the globe.91800:32:26.520 --> 00:32:30.480Uh, sing, strategize this client, that client, mentor91900:32:30.480 --> 00:32:31.360people.92000:32:31.660 --> 00:32:33.820What, what do you use kind of as92100:32:33.820 --> 00:32:36.060your litmus test to say, yes, I'm going92200:32:36.060 --> 00:32:38.060to do that or no, I don't think92300:32:38.060 --> 00:32:39.940that's part of now.92400:32:40.060 --> 00:32:42.600Now, of course we know the foundation is92500:32:42.600 --> 00:32:43.300prayer, right?92600:32:43.840 --> 00:32:44.560Um, the spirit.92700:32:44.700 --> 00:32:46.140And so I look for that green light,92800:32:46.220 --> 00:32:48.300but purpose, that's it.92900:32:49.100 --> 00:32:52.260It has to align unless, you know, I93000:32:52.260 --> 00:32:54.200hear a voice that says this is not93100:32:54.200 --> 00:32:56.500your purpose, but do this anyway, it must93200:32:56.500 --> 00:33:00.080align with what God is saying for my93300:33:00.080 --> 00:33:00.320life.93400:33:00.320 --> 00:33:01.140I am here.93500:33:01.560 --> 00:33:03.780Ecclesiastes talks about a time to be born,93600:33:03.860 --> 00:33:04.720a time to die.93700:33:05.000 --> 00:33:06.700There's this person purpose and a season for93800:33:06.700 --> 00:33:07.020everything.93900:33:07.180 --> 00:33:09.320I'm here for a specific reason.94000:33:09.860 --> 00:33:12.320And you know, I almost call it sometime94100:33:12.320 --> 00:33:14.180the curse of the gifted when you're pulled94200:33:14.180 --> 00:33:17.540in so many different directions, you can be94300:33:17.540 --> 00:33:19.220everywhere, but I'm at a point in my94400:33:19.220 --> 00:33:21.000life where I know what I'm here to94500:33:21.000 --> 00:33:21.360do.94600:33:22.220 --> 00:33:24.700And I must do that because I don't94700:33:24.700 --> 00:33:26.540have 80 years in front of me.94800:33:27.180 --> 00:33:28.280So it must be purpose.94900:33:28.280 --> 00:33:32.080So first things first, the book, what is,95000:33:32.720 --> 00:33:35.940what is, what does this season look like95100:33:35.940 --> 00:33:37.120for Vandal and Kenny?95200:33:37.220 --> 00:33:38.220Give us a little bit of a peek95300:33:38.220 --> 00:33:38.920behind the curtain.95400:33:39.340 --> 00:33:41.980Well, I am looking to empower more leaders.95500:33:42.400 --> 00:33:42.540Yes.95600:33:42.700 --> 00:33:44.040I just had, I tried to have you95700:33:44.040 --> 00:33:45.340something at something in December.95800:33:45.460 --> 00:33:47.560You weren't available, but that was for senior95900:33:47.560 --> 00:33:49.600leaders and preachers, I just did the youth.96000:33:49.760 --> 00:33:52.580So we're going to launch a digital mentorship.96100:33:52.700 --> 00:33:53.060Okay.96200:33:53.460 --> 00:33:55.200Um, we, I call it the Academy.96300:33:55.380 --> 00:33:55.720Okay.96400:33:55.820 --> 00:33:57.460So we're launching a digital mentorship.96500:33:57.460 --> 00:34:00.180Um, I'm even looking to get with some96600:34:00.180 --> 00:34:02.480institutions to do some accreditation.96700:34:03.240 --> 00:34:05.520Um, you know, a credit here or two,96800:34:05.660 --> 00:34:07.300and then have people kind of have a96900:34:07.300 --> 00:34:09.780thirst for, you know, just being empowered and97000:34:09.780 --> 00:34:10.440learning more.97100:34:10.860 --> 00:34:13.460Uh, I plan to start a podcast.97200:34:13.980 --> 00:34:14.100Okay.97300:34:14.139 --> 00:34:16.040I just converted my garage.97400:34:16.440 --> 00:34:16.900Okay.97500:34:17.060 --> 00:34:18.580And so I'm looking, so we've got a97600:34:18.580 --> 00:34:18.960studio.97700:34:19.239 --> 00:34:19.719Yes.97800:34:19.820 --> 00:34:22.100We're getting a studio, um, just so we97900:34:22.100 --> 00:34:23.960can reach more people with more information.98000:34:24.139 --> 00:34:26.320I want to interview leaders and get that98100:34:26.320 --> 00:34:27.360information out there.98200:34:27.360 --> 00:34:29.139Just kind of a conversation, a one-on98300:34:29.139 --> 00:34:31.219-one on, um, you know, how they got98400:34:31.219 --> 00:34:32.060to where they are.98500:34:32.460 --> 00:34:34.139Uh, and we have some more books, uh,98600:34:34.400 --> 00:34:36.020uh, Pastor Adam, I've had this book in98700:34:36.020 --> 00:34:37.860my computer for seven years.98800:34:38.900 --> 00:34:41.520I have four more in my computer.98900:34:43.139 --> 00:34:44.659So, but I've been running, running, running.99000:34:44.960 --> 00:34:47.139So now I have the time to just99100:34:47.139 --> 00:34:48.179kind of release that.99200:34:48.340 --> 00:34:50.000Have a conference coming up in December.99300:34:50.120 --> 00:34:50.620You'll be there.99400:34:50.719 --> 00:34:50.840Okay.99500:34:50.860 --> 00:34:52.480You don't know it yet, but you'll be99600:34:52.480 --> 00:34:55.580there, um, where we'll be empowering leaders and,99700:34:55.620 --> 00:34:59.060um, just, uh, continuing to help raise up99800:34:59.060 --> 00:35:00.460and pray for the next generation.99900:35:00.740 --> 00:35:02.940Well, you can find her and the Academy100000:35:02.940 --> 00:35:05.720and all that she is doing, Vanduwin Kennedy,100100:35:05.940 --> 00:35:08.740all over social media and on Faithly, make100200:35:08.740 --> 00:35:11.120sure that you, uh, ping her on her100300:35:11.120 --> 00:35:14.700profile on Faithly or on LinkedIn, all the100400:35:14.700 --> 00:35:16.600other platforms that she's on, she's just doing100500:35:16.600 --> 00:35:18.020phenomenal, phenomenal work.100600:35:18.100 --> 00:35:19.940You're going to want to stay connected to100700:35:19.940 --> 00:35:21.540the Reverend Vanduwin Kennedy.100800:35:21.540 --> 00:35:24.080Thank you for sitting down and having this100900:35:24.080 --> 00:35:24.660conversation.101000:35:25.220 --> 00:35:27.340Her book is First Things First, Win Your101100:35:27.340 --> 00:35:28.800Day and Transform Your Life.101200:35:28.880 --> 00:35:30.180You do not want to miss it.101300:35:30.760 --> 00:35:31.640Thank you for joining me.101400:35:31.720 --> 00:35:33.980My name is Pastor Adam Durso, the Reverend101500:35:33.980 --> 00:35:34.840Vandalyn Kennedy.101600:35:35.220 --> 00:35:37.500This was another episode of Faithly Podcast.101700:35:37.860 --> 00:35:38.360God bless you.