#28 Inside-Out Leadership with Dr. Matt Willmington

In this episode of 'Learning to Lead Show', host Mark Cundiff interviews Dr. Matt Willmington, the Executive Pastor of Ministries at Thomas Road Baptist Church and Head of the Pastoral Training program at Liberty University. Dr. Willmington shares his leadership journey, emphasizing the importance of living 'inside out' to avoid burnout. He discusses his leadership philosophy, particularly in the context of a large church with numerous volunteers, and explains how biblical principles guide his approach. Dr. Willmington also delves into recruitment, training, and coaching strategies, offering practical advice and book recommendations for leaders. He concludes with reflections on balancing productivity and fruitfulness, the importance of self-awareness, and the evolving challenges leaders face today. This episode is packed with actionable insights and tips for both seasoned and aspiring leaders.00:00 Understanding the Inside-Out Mission00:27 Introduction to Dr. Matt Wilmington02:04 Matt's Leadership Journey03:24 Current Roles and Responsibilities05:23 Leading Volunteers vs. Paid Staff09:42 Blending Corporate and Church Leadership12:06 Recruitment and Team Building25:17 Onboarding and Training New Leaders28:55 The Importance of Staff Mentorship29:45 Onboarding and Training New Employees31:33 Coaching Future Church Leaders31:59 Biblical Foundations for Leadership34:48 Practical Lessons from the New Testament37:16 Self-Awareness and Early Leadership Lessons43:29 Balancing Productivity and Fruitfulness49:33 Continual Learning and Personal Growth51:22 Current Leadership Challenges55:27 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsDr. Matt Willmington's Contact Information:LinkedInEmail: [email protected] Thomas Road Baptist ChurchLiberty University📚 Books MentionedThe Advantage — Patrick LencioniThe Purpose Driven Life — Rick WarrenThe Purpose Driven Church — Rick WarrenLeading from the Second Chair — Mike BonemThe First 90 Days — (referenced as an onboarding framework) Atomic Habits — habit stacking / building rhythmsFree Learning To Lead ResourcesFree Book: The Trust GapThe Learning To Lead NewsletterLeaderNotes🔎 About LeaderNotesLeaderNotes is a quick-hit companion to each episode of The Learning to Lead Show. In just 5–10 minutes, Mark Cundiff recaps the top leadership insights, frameworks, and action steps from each interview, designed for busy, growth-minded leaders who want to review and apply the episode’s biggest takeaways on the go. It’s like the highlight reel + playbook—all in one.Contact Mark at: [email protected]