“I felt a bit like a water boy at an All-Star game,” says Buehring.  “This was an historic meeting of respected godly leaders who have collectively served in leadership for around 300 years.   Even though I felt God had given me the vision for this project over five years ago, it was still hard to comprehend that it was coming to pass.  And it was truly more than we had hoped for.”

Buehring teamed with his brother, Tom, who served as Producer for Conversations with Fathers of the Faith.  Tom Buehring has over 22 years experience in the television industry as on-air talent and show producer in top markets across the country.  Dave and Tom shared the auspicious task of asking questions and then allowing the conversations to flow naturally between the “Fathers.”  A multitude of topics was covered, and nothing was scripted or given to the men ahead of time.  

The series will be made available in January and will be targeted to spiritual leaders and their teams – including pastors, elders, staff, volunteer leaders, heads of ministry organizations and their team members. Topics discussed amongst the “Fathers” during the three-day taping sessions included their personal faith journeys, a leader’s spiritual health, leadership issues, hindrances of the heart, the church, unity, thoughts related to the next generation, and the need of rediscovering discipleship. Conversations with Fathers of the Faith is packaged as both a DVD and audio set, complimented by a Leader’s Guide and a leather-bound journal for participants. The 6-12 week course encourages discussion and aims at life application, specifically focusing on leadership values, truths and principles.

“Pastors have the hardest job on the planet!” says Buehring, himself a pastor for nearly two decades. “Most are usually well-versed in the Scriptures, but may struggle with how to practically apply the ways of God or how to use them while exercising leadership. All of us as leaders long to have ‘fathers in the faith’ that we can bounce things off of and learn from – to simply reassure us, to better equip us, and from time-to-time to bring a loving word of correction and direction. Not everyone has the opportunity to walk alongside a spiritual father. Our hope is that this series will provide pastors and leaders with some collective wisdom, insights, and direction –  from a representation of a generation of spiritual fathers – to enable them to better live, lead and finish well.  We believe this resource will speak to their hearts allowing them and their teams to seek God afresh for what He may be saying and doing both in and through them.

“Of all the moments that we taped in Conversations with Fathers of the Faith, the moment that inspired me most was at the very end when we asked each of them to affirm the man to their right. They looked each other in the eyes and with a warm touch offered heart-felt gratitude, words of honor and encouragement to one another.  That was a holy moment that I’ll never forget.  It gave us all a glimpse of what the fruit of unity could really look like if we all genuinely walked in relationship with one another out of a heart of true humility, recognizing within our churches, organizations and teams our desperate need and deep appreciation of each other.”

Plans are already in the works for a second volume of Conversations with Fathers of the Faith targeted to congregational small groups and set to be released in fall 2009.  Additionally, Lionshare is in the process of laying foundations for similar “conversations” with godly leaders representing various spheres of society such as family, government, business, the arts, and sports.

Buehring has spent much of the last thirty years in leadership roles that required him to teach and equip, shape leaders and grow mentors. He has served with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) and Messenger Fellowship, pastored within the local church, authored A Discipleship Journey, and has preached/taught thousands of times in hundreds of various settings throughout North America and the world. He launched the Lionshare Leadership Group in 2001 with the aim of shaping leaders in the ways of God so they are equipped to live and lead with wisdom, character and perspective within the arenas where they have been appointed to serve. One of Lionshare’s core thrusts is a 45-week leadership mentoring opportunity that attracts both ministry and marketplace leaders who are looking to lead from a godly vantage point. Participants in Lionshare’s training have included men and women from such arenas as family life, business, church and missions, government, education, medicine, media, disaster relief, arts, entertainment and sports.

For further information, visit: www.FathersoftheFaith.org.