Have you ever felt like it's time to make a change in your life, but you're not sure if it's the right move? In this podcast episode, we learn from Freddie Russell, the founder of the True North Leadership Group, about his journey of leaving vocational ministry after 37 years and stepping into entrepreneurship. Freddy shares how he knew it was the right time to make the move and emphasizes that he hasn't left ministry, but rather transitioned to a different kind of ministry. He also discusses the universal call to ministry and how it can be fulfilled in different roles and contexts.

Passion is a force multiplier in driving success, and Freddy's story is a testament to that. He encourages listeners to follow God's leading in their own ministries and to share the episode with others. If you're looking to make a change in your life or business, this episode is a must-listen.

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Visit our website: http://monetizeyourministrypodcast.com/

Visit True North Leadership Group's website: https://thenorthgroup.org/

00:00 Intro to Podcast

[00:02:58] Freddie's background in ministry
Freddie talks about his 37-year career in vocational ministry, serving as a pastor for small and large churches, as a denominational executive, and leading professional conferences for pastors.

[00:04:35] Knowing it's time to make a move
Freddie shares how he knew it was the right time to leave vocational ministry and step into entrepreneurship after hearing God say "it's time" during worship in 2016 and again in 2018.

[00:09:43] Expanding the definition of ministry
We discuss how ministry can be expanded beyond traditional pastoral roles and how serving others is still ministry, even if it's not in a church setting.

[00:11:22] Freddie's Calling to serve leaders
Freddie talks about how he discovered his calling to serve leaders and how he started training leaders in his local congregation.

[00:15:00] Teaching leadership beyond the church
Freddie talks about his first opportunity to teach leadership outside of the church world, at Johns Hopkins University, and how he prepared for it.

[00:20:01] Dependence on God in Entrepreneurship
Freddie discusses how his faith and prayer life have deepened as he has transitioned from vocational ministry to entrepreneurship, and how dependence on God is crucial in the marketplace.

[00:22:27 - 00:23:25] God's timing for blessings
Freddie Russell talks about how blessings come unexpectedly when you are doing your best, and how God initiates the hookups.

[00:23:48 - 00:26:26] Introduction to True North Leadership Group
Freddie Russell talks about his company, True North Leadership Group, and the services they offer in leadership design and development, building high-performance teams, change management, internal corporate conflict communication strategy facilitation, and diversity management.

[00:29:16 - 00:31:31] The importance of character-based leadership
Freddie Russell talks about the common thread in his work, which is character-based leadership, and how it is essential in all sectors, including corporate, healthcare, government, and church.

[00:33:32] Passion and Focus
Freddie Russell talks about the importance of having a deep internal driver that propels you forward in life and how focusing on what you love can help you find your purpose.

[00:34:38] Lessons in Building a Business
Freddie Russell shares some lessons he learned in building his business, including the importance of marketing, setting price points, and negotiating with clients.

[00:41:47] Monetizing Ministry
Freddie Russell gives advice on how to monetize ministry to organizations and the importance of having a money conversation in a business-to-business context.

[00:43:59] Metrics
Freddie talks about how he defines the impact of his ministry now that he is doing executive coaching, and how it differs from when he was pastoring.

[00:47:33] Expanding Ministry
Freddie talks about how he is now leading on Mars Hill, where there are multiple belief systems, and how he has to speak the language of the people there, not the language of the church.

[00:49:32] Following God's Leading
Kymone thanks Freddie for being obedient to God's leading and encourages listeners to follow God's leading as well. Freddie shares his contact information for those interested in his coaching services.