Low Control, High Accountability Leadership with Cedrick Brown
Welcome to season 2 of Church Chat, the show that has the conversations about ministry you wish you were having. Today we're talking to Cedrick Brown, Lead Pastor of Commitment Community Church and one of our District Superintendents here at EFCA East. We chat about being a preacher who doesn't enjoy talking, being bi-vocational, how working in the public sector influences ministry leadership, unhealthy expectations we place on volunteers and employees, good time management tips and more!
Season 2 of Church Chat is sponsored by Trinity Evangelical Divinity School! Choosing to pursue seminary education as you seek to fulfill God’s calling on your life is the first step in an exciting journey of faith. TEDS provides various flexible options that allow you to refine your ministry skills while adjusting to your schedule.
Cedrick Brown, a Compton, California native, excelled in football at Washington State University (1982–1986) before signing as a free agent with the Philadelphia Eagles under coach Buddy Ryan. After a brief career in the hotel and restaurant industry, Cedrick spent 15 years in executive sales management with Alcoa Inc., overseeing $500 million in sales across 33 states.
Now a ministry leader and District Superintendent for EFCA’s Eastern District, Cedrick is also the founding pastor of Commitment Community Church, one of New Jersey’s most diverse churches, where he has served since 1996. He holds degrees from Cairn University and Slidell Baptist Seminary and is the author of several books, including Influencing Your World and Act Like a Man – Woman Can You Help Me?
Cedrick and his wife Lisa, married for over 30 years, have three adult children.
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MORE FROM CEDRICK
Avoiding The Drift
“Therefore, let the one who thinks he stands watch out that he does not fall…” This is the warning the Apostle Paul gave the Church at Corinth, after he exhorted them not to follow the example of Israel’s behavior in the wilderness on their way to the promised land. He further affirmed the church: “Now…
3 Ways To Help Break Undesirable Patterns
It’s July… and August is coming soon. What does this mean? Well for me, over the years it’s proven to reveal that I’m easily irritated. That I’m really not enjoying the company of people I love and love to lead like the previous months. That Lisa and I are destined to have our annual emotional…
What Our Soul Needs
As followers of Jesus Christ, we can find ourselves living life with great tension. Pressures that hit us from multiple directions. They seem to be tied to our past decisions, current conditions, and future concerns. They manifest in the weight of the bountiful blessings of God or the harvest of sin in our lives. They…
Leading Through Pain
By a show of hands, how many of you have experienced some type of pain over the past year or so? I know I can’t see them lifted, but humor me and do it anyway? For the record, both of my hands are lifted pretty high. With all sincerity and candor, as I type I’ve…
Let Him Be Teacher
Most people started the year by capitalizing on the novelty and nuances that came along with its introduction. Witty sayings emerged, even within the Church, like: Gospel Focus, Remain Focused, Keep Your Eyes On Jesus, 2020 Bible Vision, Focus 2020 – and here’s a good one, 2020 Vision. Nevertheless, it seemed that the Church had…
Should We Ask Forgiveness?
As a child, I remember having literal fist-fights with my older brother. When I reached the age and strength in which I could finally defend myself, I was fully engaged in sibling warfare. Yet, no matter how emotional or physical it got, we were forced by our parents to do the most dreaded and inevitable…
3 Questions To Help Maintain Healthy Vital Signs
While serving as an under-shepherd for many years now, it still can become frustrating when the sheep in God’s pasture don’t willingly follow. Within these exasperating moments I long to strike the rock rather than speak to it. Anybody know what I mean? Over the years I’m learning to pause more rather than striking, or…
Remembering To Watch The Time
As a pastor for over 23 years, and having the privilege to serve in ministry for close to 30 years now, it seems as though time has escaped me. Yet, the Apostle Paul admonishes me in the book of Ephesians to make the most of my time. I must admit that I’ve probably not been…
4 Ways To Live A Fluid Life
Can I be honest with you? I like routine. I can eat the same meal at the same restaurant every week — enjoying it as though it was my first experience. I strategically set my car keys in the same place every day when I arrive home. I pick up my green tea at the…
How To Lead From The Bottom Up
When we think of leadership, we rarely consider terms such as bottom or weak, but rather top and strong. We define our idyllic leaders as sharp, innovative, visionary, and bright. Can you imagine being introduced this way: “I want you to meet Cedrick, our wonderful pastor who has lots of issues.” Never do we aim…
