In this heartfelt conversation, Dr. Zach sits down with worship leader, recording artist, and teaching pastor, Charles Billingsley, to explore the topics of leadership, calling, and the power of a quiet life. In this power packed conversation, Dr. Zach and Charles begin by reflecting on the upcoming Refuel Conference: a free, two-day conference at Thomas Road Baptist Church (Oct 6–7) designed to encourage and equip pastors, staff, ministry leaders, and you. Charles speaks candidly about burnout in ministry and why intentional moments of worship, rest, and learning matter now more than ever. He traces his story from a childhood on the road with his evangelist dad, to early mentors who invested in his calling, to seasons with NewSong, and years serving local churches from coast to coast. Charles explains how he reconciled platform and humility, seeing every song as a “four-minute sermon”, and why he chooses intimacy over immediacy, margin over hurry, and faithfulness over flash. Additionally, in this conversation, they unpack three disciplines for ministry: solitude (creating margin for God and people), study (Charles writes messages nearly word-for-word, then leaves room for the Spirit), and suffering (his harrowing COVID valley which included pneumonia, low oxygen, blood clots and how those moments became a school of worship where songs like “Great Are You Lord” and “Goodness of God” anchored his trust). The result is a raw, hope-filled invitation to abide in Christ, on the mountaintops and in the valleys, and to lead from overflow, not emptiness.

Calls to Action

• Register for Refuel (Oct 6–7): Save your spot at www.refuel.org and bring your team. It’s free and open to everyone!
• Learn about Thomas Road Baptist Church: Plan a visit, watch messages, or get involved with ministries at Thomas Road Baptist Church (Lynchburg, VA) by visiting https://trbc.org/
• Follow Charles Billingsley: Keep up with new music, messages, and events on his social channels - https://www.instagram.com/charlesbillingsley/
• Visit Charles’s Website: https://www.charlesbillingsley.com/
• Listen to The Charles Billingsley Podcast: Add it to your queue and share an episode with a friend in ministry - https://www.charlesbillingsley.com/podcast
• Share This Episode: Text it to a pastor, spouse, or team member who needs encouragement and refueling.
• Subscribe to Built Different: Follow, rate, and review the show to help more listeners find these conversations.
• Practice the Three S’s This Week: Schedule a solitude block, study one passage deeply, and worship in whatever “valley” you’re walking through.

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In this powerful conversation with Pastor Jonathan Falwell, we unpacked what it means to lead with integrity, stay grounded in faith, and navigate the pressures of ministry in a world filled with uncertainty. From cultural challenges like rising fear, tragedy, and moral compromise to the immense personal weight pastors carry, Pastor Jonathan reminded us that these days call for courageous, Spirit-filled leadership. He shared how Scripture, prayer, and community keep us rooted when criticism, burnout, or even spiritual attack threaten to derail our calling. Together, we explored how to finish well, not chasing applause or platform but living faithfully and leaving a legacy that truly matters. Pastor Jonathan also addressed the reality of spiritual warfare, the temptation of compromise, and the importance of daily renewal in Christ to stand firm amid cultural chaos. His words were both a sobering reminder of the times we live in and an encouraging call to lead with courage, conviction, and compassion.

If you’re in need of some encouragement and a filled cup with some fresh wind in your sails, don’t miss the Refuel Conference at Thomas Road Baptist Church on October 6–7. It’s completely FREE and designed to refresh, equip, and encourage you for the road ahead. Register today at Refuel.org (https://refuel.org/) and come ready to be renewed, inspired, and reminded why your “yes” to ministry matters.

Register for Refuel: www.refuel.org
Find out more about Thomas Road Baptist Church: https://trbc.org/Follow Thomas Road on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/thomasroad?igsh=N2wzc2JxNnAweXB6

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Pastor and bestselling author Max Lucado joins the Built Different Podcast to talk about his newest book, Tame Your Thoughts: Three Tools to Renew Your Mind and Transform Your Life, which released August 12th and is now available wherever books are sold. We discuss what it means to take every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5), renew our minds (Romans 12:2), and dwell on what is true (Philippians 4:8). Max shares how Scripture can become a filter for truth, helping us identify and replace the lies of our thoughts and emotions with God’s promises. Trust me, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

Resources & Links:

• 📖 Get the book: https://shorturl.at/alSIh
• 🌐 Learn more about Max Lucado: https://maxlucado.com/
• 📱 Follow Max Lucado on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MaxLucadoOfficial
• 🎙 Subscribe to the Built Different Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-built-different-podcast-with-dr-zach-clinton/id1558251199

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.