Faith, Leadership, and Community: A Conversation with Dave Bechtold

Leadership isn’t just about titles, boardrooms, or organizations—it’s about impacting people where they are, meeting them in their struggles, and creating a space for real conversations.

In my latest Spartan Leadership podcast episode, I had the privilege of sitting down with Dave Bechtold, a lifelong servant leader who’s redefining what faith-based leadership looks like beyond traditional church walls.

Dave’s journey is a powerful example of humility, service, and building authentic relationships—not in the church sanctuary, but in coffee shops, cigar lounges, and community gatherings. He’s the driving force behind Outside the Walls, a ministry-based initiative dedicated to creating safe spaces for real talk about life, faith, and leadership.

Authenticity Over Performance

One of the biggest takeaways from our conversation was the power of vulnerability in leadership.

Too often, leaders (especially in faith circles) feel pressure to always have the answers, never show weakness, and appear put together. But as Dave put it:

"If someone is willing to acknowledge their struggles in front of me, that makes it a safe space for me to process mine."

That’s leadership at its core—building trust through authenticity. People don’t follow perfection; they follow those who are willing to walk through the mess of life with them.

Why Faith Conversations Need a New Setting

Dave shared how traditional church settings don’t always foster the deep, open discussions people desperately need. Instead, he’s found that places like cigar lounges and coffee shops are becoming modern sanctuaries where people can:

• Talk about faith without fear of judgment
• Ask hard questions without cliché answers
• Find belonging outside traditional institutions

Events like Dads at Dave’s, Holy Smokes, and Holy Grounds create environments where men—many of whom wouldn’t step foot in a church—can connect, share, and grow together.

The response? Overwhelming. People are hungry for real, unscripted conversations about faith, leadership, and navigating life’s struggles.

The Role of Men in Leadership & Faith

Another key discussion point was the responsibility of men as leaders—not just in business, but in their homes and communities.

Studies show that if a father is the one leading his family spiritually, there’s an 80%+ chance that his children will continue in that faith. If only the mother is leading, that drops to less than 20%.

That’s a wake-up call.

Men need to step up as spiritual leaders, not in a domineering way, but as servants, protectors, and guides for their families and communities. And that starts with doing the internal work—becoming the kind of man worth following.

A Call to Action: Living Faith Outside the Walls

Dave’s work with Outside the Walls is a reminder that faith was never meant to be confined to Sunday mornings. True leadership happens in the real world, where people live, work, and struggle.

So, here’s my challenge to you:

• Where are you leading outside your comfort zone?
• Are you creating spaces where people feel safe to be real?
• What conversations are you avoiding that need to happen?

Let’s stop keeping faith, leadership, and impact locked inside four walls. Let’s take it where it’s needed most.

?? Check out the full conversation with Dave Bechtold here: Watch the Episode

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