In this powerful conversation, Ryan Franklin and Charles Robinette dive into the journey of discerning God’s voice, the importance of submission to spiritual authority, and the transformative impact of understanding one’s identity in Christ. They discuss how clarity in hearing God comes through intentional spiritual disciplines, strong mentorship, and relational accountability. Robinette shares personal experiences that emphasize the role of emotional intelligence in leadership, the power of prophetic prayer, and the necessity of overcoming fear, jealousy, and control in ministry. They also explore the value of healthy separations in relationships, the importance of collaboration, and the challenges church leaders face today. Packed with practical wisdom and spiritual insight, this conversation is a must-listen for those seeking to grow in leadership and deepen their connection with God.
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Transcript
If you're feeling like the heavens are brass and you're not getting the sound you need, and you're not hearing what you need to hear, nine times out of ten, it's you that's out of alignment and not God. I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt—maybe there's a 10th out of 10 that maybe, but the reality is, it's you.
Welcome to the Christian Leader Made Simple podcast. I really hope this episode helps you learn and master the skills you need to grow your leadership effectiveness and enjoyment. Be sure to hit the subscribe button to get notified as soon as I post a new session so you don't miss a single episode. I'd also greatly appreciate any reviews, likes, and shares that you can give me. It just helps me extend my reach to more people.
So leaders, I know just how frustrating it can feel when you're in the weeds of work or ministry and life is chaotic. You're struggling to feel effective, and you're just not enjoying leadership as much as you could be. And so to help you, after many years of leadership and executive coaching, I've developed a framework called the Christian Leader Blueprint that'll guide you to find clarity in your life and leadership. It'll help you gain a better rhythm of life; it'll help you see yourself more clearly to leverage your strengths, and you'll produce more productive relationships.
It's a step-by-step guide to leadership transformation, and I have that in two formats now. I have a free short guide that you can find on ryanfranklinklin.org, and I have a book, the Christian Leader Blueprint, which you can find in any format, including an audiobook wherever you buy your books. I have a few more things on my website that you may be interested in, so just head on over to ryanfranklin.org and check it all out.
And now let's get to our session. I'm excited! Today we have round two with a guest that was on last year, and you have requested many times to have him back on. It's hard to rope this man down because he travels the globe so much, but we have him here today, and his name is Charles Robinette. In case you missed the previous episode, I want to give you a little bit of introduction to him.
Charles and his wife Stacy currently serve as appointed missionaries and international evangelists with the United Pentecostal Church International. In years past, he served as the General Superintendent of the German-speaking nations. For 12 years he oversaw the work in Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Austria. They have been involved in church planting all over the world at various levels, and they also founded the Apostolic Ministry Training Center in 2008, which serves to equip the next generation of ministry leaders. When he left the position of president of the organization in 2019, there were 31 campuses and nearly 500 students.
Charles is the host of a tremendous podcast called Apostolic Mentoring; you need to check it out if you have not heard it—tremendous! I believe it's a weekly podcast or at least every other week; he can correct me in just a moment—but he has some tremendous guests that you will definitely want to check out. He is also the author of Radically Apostolic, which is available in nine languages. He has a brand new book that's coming out fairly soon called Apostolic Mentoring.
So Charles, welcome to the Christian Leader Made Simple podcast!
Hey! Thank you, sir! It's an honor to be here with you again. One of my favorite podcasts that I've ever done—and I mean this sincerely—was the first time I got to be with you on Christian Leader Made Simple. Oh my goodness! Thank you! I've listened to it myself multiple times just because it ministered to me—the interaction we had, the conversation we had—and I've wept while listening to our discussion that day and felt so edified by it. So thank you for affording us this opportunity before—and thanks for letting us come back again!
Honored! Well, I have likewise listened to that episode several times. The depth of content in that episode was just phenomenal, and I think people need to go back and check it out if they have not heard it—it was just a rich podcast—and I anticipate this one being the same.
Amen! The subject that we're going to talk about today is tremendous; it's one that you can absolutely speak volumes about. Just to sort of kick this off and get into it—I’d love if you'd mind Charles sharing a bit about your personal journey that led you to being able to hear from God with clarity.
Well, I wish that I could say I've always been able to hear the voice of God clearly but that's not the case. I don't think there's any leader or man of God or any person in any role who has ever known exactly what to do or had clear direction at all times. So obviously our journey has been very unique; I wasn't really raised in the church—which Ryan knows—I was raised in Chicago, Illinois. My family wasn't really in church; we owned a bar for a season in Chicago so that was just kind of my upbringing.
But I went from living in Chicago to getting the Holy Ghost and getting baptized in Jesus' name in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Then I joined the military while running from God—which I don't think was God's plan for me; He certainly didn't tell me to join—but God was faithful through all those transitions: from military service to ministry work; from AIM work (which stands for Apostolic Youth Missions) to missionary status; then finally becoming an international evangelist.
I think over those years there were many things contributing towards hearing God's voice clearly—mistakes included! Mistakes contributed massively towards learning how to hear His voice clearly. Thank God for every time that I didn't hear God's voice clearly because it only takes one or two times thinking you've heard from Him but stepping in wrong directions for you go "Oh man! I'd better not do that again!" So I'm grateful for some failures—some misunderstandings where I thought I'd figured it all out but hadn't.
But one of my greatest advantages when learning how best listen for God's Word came through three key areas: Number one—the Word itself! Getting into God's word regularly is always going provide clarity regarding His will for your life! Developing an intimate connection through daily engagement with scripture helps us become intimately knowledgeable about who He is—what His voice sounds like—His direction—where He wants us going—and how we can align ourselves accordingly.
So if someone lacks intimacy with scripture they will consistently experience fleeting encounters devoiding meaningful engagement with clear guidance from Heaven’s throne room! Secondly: Having A Pastor In Your Life Is Vital—this cannot be overstated enough!
We talked earlier about how unique opportunities arise unexpectedly sometimes; if ever faced with such situations where excitement bubbles up within us—we must bring these feelings forward into accountability through our spiritual leaders who hold authority over our lives! Trusting them enough allows us space needed while still honoring their opinions regarding potential dangers lurking beneath surface excitement levels present when making decisions without consulting wise counsel first!
Having trusted voices surrounding us provides confidence knowing nothing happens outside God’s ultimate plan—even if mistakes do happen here & there—He’ll use those lessons learned along way towards growth ultimately bringing forth fruitfulness beyond measure down road ahead!! Lastly: Experiencing Life Itself plays an important role too—you know when things go wrong? You learn lessons quickly which teach valuable information about what works versus what doesn’t!
When faced head-on against difficulties—you realize quickly nobody gets everything right every single time—that’s why keeping perspective matters most throughout trials experienced during journeys undertaken together alongside others striving towards same goals builds resilience necessary withstand storms ahead!!
You mentioned submission earlier…submission towards pastors specifically…how would YOU define radical submission? Wouldn’t radical imply something extreme versus simply obeying authority figures placed above us?
I think one danger lies within isolationism itself—it doesn’t matter whether leading Fortune 500 companies or pastoring smaller congregations—we’re never meant walk alone yet often fall prey believing we don’t require anyone else’s insight/input regarding challenges faced along way forward!
When isolated away from others—the danger escalates exponentially because blind spots abound everywhere we turn!! This applies even more significantly considering most leaders possess strong personalities leaning toward high extroversion tendencies pushing boundaries constantly creating environments filled excitement—but sometimes leading down paths needing correction before harm occurs!!
Or you have people that preach and facilitate that opportunity for demonstration. The Word of God should always demonstrate something. There should always be production, acceleration, multiplication, and demonstration when the Word goes forth.
Part of moving from being a great preacher to somebody who operates in kingdom production is having a certainty in your identity, but having a certainty in His Word. If you don't start praying prophetically the Word of God and then creating an opportunity for the Word to prove itself, you'll always be disappointed. You'll always be frustrated.
I remember 20 years ago an elder coming into my office overseas and falling on his knees, weeping in my office. The guy was in his 60s, okay? And he's on his knees in my office weeping, talking about how he's preached all of these messages, been to all of these places, but never seen God do anything. He spent a lifetime frustrated because he perfected the art of preaching but never trusted God or had enough confidence in His Word to give God a chance to prove that He would do exactly what He said.
This is why when you preach the Word, you should give an opportunity—an altar call. Call for the blind to come, call for the deaf to come, call for the lame. Bring those who don't have the Holy Ghost. My God will keep His word. Bring them to this altar right now. Creating that opportunity, operating in the confidence of God, the confidence of His Word, and creating an opportunity for Him to prove that His Word will not return void is such a critical part of kingdom development, and it moves you from frustration to fulfillment. Give God a chance. You want to live fulfilled? Give God a chance.
That's so good. So good. I could keep listening to you for hours to come. Joy, we do need to wrap up though.
Yes, sir. Pastor, before I do have one question I want to ask you to end with, and it's sort of off topic, but I just wanted to check in with you. Is there anything else regarding our subject today on prayer and moving in the spirit of God, hearing the voice of God? Anything else that comes to your mind that you want to tell the audience?
Well, I did have something in my spirit. I woke up with it in my spirit. Maybe the Lord just reminded me something—maybe that's what it was. But when we're talking about prioritizing the kingdom and prioritizing spiritual disciplines—and you said it sir—you said you gotta be consistent in your relationship.
I know that there's all of this pressure about how to have spiritual disciplines and to make sure you have a defined time. There's a lot of pressure that defined time needs to be well—I need to pray in the morning or pray at night or whatever. But I will say something that Brother Cole said that was so funny.
There was a season of my life where I was really eaten up with spiritual discipline. I was really pursuing spiritual disciplines with the wrong motives. I think we talked about this when we talked before, but it popped in my spirit again this morning when I woke up.
Billy Cole said something that was amazing in trying to help me mature in prioritizing the kingdom and prioritizing spiritual discipline. He said something—and maybe your audience won't all agree—but I agree with this and I'm going to say it: He was mocking those who are prioritizing and making everybody pray at 5 AM or 6 AM or whatever.
Billy Cole said this: "Ah," he said, "that's so stupid." He said, "When I wake up at noon, it's 6 AM somewhere." And he said he prayed consistently every day when he woke up—whether it's noon or one or if he's in a foreign field and jet lagged and got up at 6—whatever he does! He said he has been intentional about praying when he gets up and having a consistent relationship with God.
So I don't think your audience needs to feel pressured about a specific time to have what somebody else has or do what somebody else does. Whatever works for you friend—the most important thing is prioritize the kingdom and have a relationship with God.
So whenever you're at your strongest—whatever time you can set aside—that you say this is the moment every day I'm going to be with the Lord—I think that's what you need to do! Personalize it according to your lifestyle; whatever you do prioritize the kingdom; have a schedule; be with God; be consistent—that's what matters—not the time.
I love that! Thank you for that! An ending question here—and it can be related to this topic or something totally different—it doesn't matter—but just curious: In your view, what do you feel like Charles Robinette is the most significant challenge that's facing church leaders today and how can they overcome it?
Yep! 100%! You know last year I always pray for a word sir—and every year probably around September-October-November somewhere there God gives me the word or the direction or what He is going to do in the coming year—and that really begins my guided journey throughout that year.
Last year in November, the Lord gave me the words acceleration and multiplication—and God said this is what we're walking into as a church—as organizations—as whatever—there's going to be an acceleration and multiplication of My kingdom! And in that same word, the Lord spoke to me and said—and this is what's going to hinder the church—it’s the same three spirits that have been hindering the church from the beginning: It is the spirit of fear—the spirit of jealousy—and the spirit of control.
And so the Lord spoke to me and said this is what I want you to prophetically pray against this year—pray against these spirits! Pray against these things that are hindering us—whether it's fear of failure—or fear of criticism—the thing that's keeping you back from acceleration and multiplication!
There's a spirit of fear that's causing you—to have small vision—small goals—small plans—to have a vision that you can control—to have a good vision but not a God vision! This is what's paralyzing you! You're feeling a spirit of fear that's pushing back against when God says do this—you say let's do it smaller because I can do that and not fall short!
And so I've been praying this year sir against the spirit of fear—the spirit of jealousy—the spirit of control—because really that's innate in man! Those are three things we are constantly dealing with! I'm jealous of you so I can't celebrate you brother Franklin—I can't promote your podcast—I can't promote your book because I'm scared to death that you might do something greater than me—you might be bigger than me!
So I'm jealous of your place in the kingdom—and this comes back to identity—that's what it is—you either don’t know who you are—or you're not happy with who God called you to be! And so because those two things are at war—you’re so jealous of your brother or sister—they sing—they can sing—they're writing books—they've got podcasts or whatever—you have these jealousies—you’re not content in your calling!
You have not found your place in the Kingdom—and so you refuse—you marginalize other ministries—you refuse to work together—you refuse to let there be a partnership of faith—you refuse to celebrate other people's kingdom victories—you don’t see other people's kingdom victories as your own kingdom victory!
You don’t see yourself as part of the kingdom because you've isolated into your kingdom! So these spirits are what we have—to deal with in this hour!
And I really know God's going to do big things—I know we're heading into a season where we're going from millions—to billions! This is not even—a there's no doubt in my mind—but the question is not whether it's going happen—the question is who it's going happen with!
And so whether you're going part of it or not—that's a question we've got address personally!
And if you don't mind me even just adding a tidbit to that because that's…
Please Pastor; I can't really add much more than powerfully stated—but subject we're talking about today helps with obviously—the Spirit of God moving our lives and directing us prayer—is going help that—but also subject we talked—that I mentioned earlier—the relational component moving out fear—moving out control—moving out egotistical behavior—or cynicism—we may have our spirit—is relational component as well!
And there's spiritual side that we have plug into deal with—but there's also practical relational side we need plug into figure out how overcome!
A shameless plug: This is what my book—my community—all things do surround this podcast—that's what it's all about—is helping overcome these things our community!
Right now we are going through course accelerator—we take one course there’s 16 courses—we take one month go through as community—that’s focused on derailers risk—and those things like fear failure—or passive aggressive behavior—or cynicism—or…
You know what? That’s going be big part End Time Revival!
If we want see—I believe if we want see people reached gospel—it’s going happen because we plug into Spirit God—but also heal these things relationally need heal so we’re not abrasive—we can present people community—a culture grace truth!
We’re good at truth part—but sometimes struggle grace part—we don’t need grace only because that'll leave people immature if we only do grace—but we don’t need truth only either because that'll push people away cause people rebel—creating environment truth grace—or grace truth—is what scripture says!
Grace truth critical End Time revival!
So thank you—thank you so much for sharing that—it resonates very strongly passionate about it—as can tell!
Yes sir!
So if someone wants find out more about what you're doing worldwide evangelism—the things you're committed where can they find?
Yes sir—so they can go charlesgrobinette.com—that has lot our deal—but majority Kingdom information about crusades—even about Apostolic Mentoring podcast—they can always find our Instagram account—which Charles G Robinette as well—so that's probably best place connect Instagram—but course we have Apostolic mentoring every Tuesday 1 PM Eastern Time—I couldn't remember if every week every other week—but…
Every week? Yeah!
Okay—it’s every week—and moved Tuesdays so get home Mondays—and have some more family time—so this year moved Tuesdays—but it's Tuesday 1 PM Eastern Time—but people connect with that—we sure love see more people!
It’s tremendous podcast—and there’s lot work goes into know—I publish podcast every other week—and there’s lot work—it tiresome times—I know that's tiresome for but…
But it such asset Kingdom God!
Tell us about fifth year?
It’s our fifth year doing Apostolic Mentoring every single week! So my goodness—it’s pretty cool sir!
Cool sir—that's tremendous! Tell us about books—the one older book one coming out also daughter’s book?
Oh thank you—thank you sir! My daughter wrote great book called Kingdom Confidence—and didn’t make any selfless plugs today but thought about ten times while preparing conversation today.
Her book talks about Kingdom identity—knowing who are God dealing some those terrible predispositions fleshly predispositions separate from identity cause less—and encourage everybody available Amazon called Kingdom Confidence—a great book by Brianna Robinette—a tremendous book!
My book Radically Apostolic course still available Amazon as well—there two books drop year Apostolic Voice Vision gonna drop year but I'm almost done third book right now—which called Power Collaboration Cooperation Communication partnership faith—and so it great great book gonna deal necessity working together last days see End Time revival!
Just what said Pastor—I need-you need-me gotta value giftings-gotta find way collaborate-cooperate-communicate accomplish kingdom purpose-so that's books available—we’d love everybody get out grab them—they’ll blessing!!
I’ll put some links show notes all website Instagram books daughter’s book because sure there’ll plenty people reach out get those.
Well thank you so much joining us today—I know people gonna really value episode greatly appreciate time today—I feel humbled be with sir—thank opportunity thank-you.
So this concludes our show today.My name Ryan Franklin thank-you much joining us Christian Leader Made Simple podcast.
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