Russ Ewell says, “Fortune smiled on me the day I became a father of a family with disabilities. Human limits became real as I watched my sons fight to overcome Autism and Down Syndrome. Their inspired efforts increased the intensity of purpose shared by my wife and me. We learned to live differently.”

A significant number of people fear being different. Disability has served to help my family and me overcome this fear. It has clarified what’s important and freed us from convention. The struggle has consistently opened our eyes to the discovery necessary to overcome our family’s human limits.

This has been my personal journey. As a minister, I’ve applied what I’ve learned from my family’s experience to my spiritual life and process, constantly looking for ways to grow and refusing to settle for tradition or convention. This type of transformative thinking is something I believe a relationship with God should do for everybody.

Russ joins Dale on today’s podcast to help us understand how to think differently in our leadership when it comes to reaching the next generations. This is a lively conversation that you will find to be very helpful.

Description

A practical, energizing conversation about leading across generations, building innovative churches, and raising up Gen Z and Millennial leaders. Russ shares how ministry in inner‑city Boston, special‑needs parenting, and exposure to innovation culture in Silicon Valley formed a ministry philosophy centered on doing good, developing young leaders, and shifting seasoned pastors from “leader” to “father” mindsets.

Key Points In Brief

• Innovation as obedience: The early church (Antioch) modeled contextual, innovative ministry to reach new people.
• From tradition to mission: Traditions can limit intergenerational reach if they’re not evaluated for fruitfulness.
• Do good to open doors: Community service and inclusion create trust and interest before sermons do.
• Next‑gen leadership on purpose: Put Millennials and Gen Z on the platform regularly, not occasionally.
• Digital first, start small: Build simple, consistent digital expressions and iterate.
• Worship that connects: Invite younger writers and songs to shape the church’s voice.
• Fathering over fame: Seasoned leaders should equip, authorize, and celebrate the next generation.
• Succession now, not later: Make the leadership shift while momentum is high.
• Reach young men and women: Create purposeful community, competition, and cause‑driven service that engage both.
• Study the people you’re reaching: Learn their culture, media, music, and language to love well.

Key Takeaways

• Shift posture: Move from “grow my platform” to “grow our people.”
• Build pipelines: Internships, apprenticeships, and campus leadership tracks create a steady bench.
• Integrate inclusion: Pair special‑needs athletes with peers; service becomes discipleship.
• Measure building, not just attendance: Focus on formation, not only numbers or budgets.
• Normalize multi‑voice leadership: Younger leaders preach and lead worship consistently.
• Contextualize without compromise: Stay anchored in Scripture while adapting methods to people.

Notable Quotes

• “Church should be about innovation. I started seeing Jesus and the early Christians as great innovators.”
• “Traditions aren’t wrong, but they can be limiting—especially across generations and cultures.”
• “Do good first. Sometimes service is the front door long before a sermon.”
• “You never succeed with young men if you don’t succeed with young women.”
• “Make the leadership shift while you’re still there. Become a cheerleader and a support.”
• “Move from a leadership mindset to a father mindset. You have many instructors but not many fathers.”
• “Start small. Pilot something with eight students and let faith and fruit multiply.”

Next Steps

• Audit traditions: Identify one practice that hinders younger generations and rework it within 30 days.
• Elevate voices: Schedule Millennials/Gen Z to teach or lead worship at least twice per month.
• Launch a service pilot: Start a small, recurring community initiative that mixes teens/young adults with mentors.
• Build a pipeline: Outline a 12‑week intern/scholar track with clear competencies and mentors.
• Digital basics: Commit to one short‑form video and one carousel post per week highlighting testimonies, service, and next‑gen voices.
• Secret shopper: Invite two unchurched or younger guests quarterly to give candid feedback on music, clarity, and hospitality.
• Succession map: Document a 12–24 month plan that names future leads, authority they’ll hold, and your new role.

 

Link To Podcast Audio: 95Podcast 316

 

Link To Podcast YouTube:

Q & A Transcript (Curated)

Q: Why prioritize innovation in church?

A: The New Testament church modeled innovative outreach; innovation helps reach people across culture, generation, and language.

Q: How do you practically engage Gen Z?

A: Put Millennial leaders up front; contextualize worship; build digital presence; create cause‑driven service where young people lead.

Q: What about young men specifically?

A: Provide purposeful community and action—sports, competition, and service—while ensuring environments also engage young women.

Q: How can older leaders let go?

A: Decide to shift now, coach in public, correct in private, give real authority, and find a new lane (e.g., digital, mentoring).

Q: Where should a stuck church begin?

A: Deepen personal devotion, study the people you’re reaching, start with one small pilot, and build momentum from real stories.