The Excellent Pastor Podcast: Recent Episodes
Center for Pastoral Excellence
The Excellent Pastor Podcast is a weekly podcast hosted by Jason Isaacs with interviews and resources to help church leaders grow themselves before the try to grow their church.
For more information visit http://excellentpastor.com
As you get ready to enter a new year, what are your dreams and goals? Are they faith-filled? Are they realistic? Today's podcast gives you 7 healthy goals any church of any size can accomplish in the next 12 months.
Links mentioned in this podcast: FREE 2020 Pastor's Bundle Download: https://excellentpastor.com/2020-pastors-bundle-download/
In this special "pop up" episode of the podcast we talk with Pastor JC Worley of GO Church and Pastor Jeremy Isaacs of Canton Church about the power and planning of Big Days for your church.
One of the challenges of leadership is having to shift from a talented "doer" to an empowering leader. What got you to your current position is not necessarily what will help you continue to grow as a leader. In this podcast we talk about how to continue to grow and increase your value as a leader.
When you've led at your church for long enough everything becomes "normal." The challenge is trying to see your church through the eyes of a first-time guest who is experiencing everything as new. In this podcast we talk about this challenges and how to increase the quality of your guest experience.
Download Lesson Notes for Free by texting the word "script" to 94090.
Links mentioned in this podcast: FaithTeams.com (sponsor): https://faithteams.com?utm_medium=partner&utm_source=excellentpastor_podcast
Every church leader feels the pressure of numerical growth, or at the least feeling like you're making progress. The danger is assuming that Worship attendance is the best way to measure progress. It is way, but probably not the best way. In this podcast we talk about 8 metrics you can measure that are more important than worship attendance.
For more information or to Download A free spreadsheet to measure guest retention visit: https://excellentpastor.com/8-metrics-more-important-than-your-sunday-attendance/(opens in a new tab)
Links mentioned in this podcast: FaithTeams.com (sponsor): https://faithteams.com?utm_medium=partner&utm_source=excellentpastor_podcast
Step by Step Blog Post of our churches guest follow up: https://excellentpastor.com/premium-guide-capture-follow-track-every-guest-visits-church/
Blog Post by Tony Morgan about guest percentage: https://tonymorganlive.com/2014/12/02/visitor-retention-church-keeping-guests/
Balancing the tension of being a leader everyone likes and at the same time being a leader everyone wants to follow is tricky. How vulnerable is too vulnerable? I sat down with Pastor Micah Pelkey to talk this tension and answer questions like... How friendly is too friendly? What should people call us? How close should people get? These are all questions leaders have to answer as they grown in their role and responsibilities.
Links mentioned in this podcast: FaithTeams.com (sponsor): https://faithteams.com?utm_medium=partner&utm_source=excellentpastor_podcast
When you've led at your church for long enough everything becomes "normal." The challenge is trying to see your church through the eyes of a first-time guest who is experiencing everything as new. In this podcast we talk about this challenges and how to increase the quality of your guest experience.
Download the Free First-Time Guest Checklist: Blog Post: https://excellentpastor.com/6-things-first-time-guests-notice-but-pastors-overlook/
Links mentioned in this podcast: FaithTeams.com (sponsor): https://faithteams.com?utm_medium=partner&utm_source=excellentpastor_podcast
Blog Post: https://excellentpastor.com/6-things-first-time-guests-notice-but-pastors-overlook/
Blog Post about the potential of drive by traffic: https://excellentpastor.com/the-7-most-common-church-marketing-mistakes-and-how-to-fix-them/
It can be nerve-racking to take the leap and add a 2nd service, but it can also create great momentum for your church. In today's episode we talk about 7 reasons why you should add a 2nd service.
For more information: https://excellentpastor.com/7-reasons-why-your-church-should-add-a-2nd-service/
Links mentioned in this podcast: The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber: https://amzn.to/2E6SyOy
Free "Psalms" Sermon Series Download: https://excellentpastor.com/may-sermon-series-giveaway-2/
We spend a lot of time trying to solve the logistical challenges of church growth, but it's the emotional challenges of church growth that hinder us more than logistics. This episode we talk about how to make the hard decisions to keep momentum going in your church.
For more information: https://excellentpastor.com/episode-30-the-emotional-challenges-of-church-growth/
Links mentioned in this podcast: See the S Curve and download session notes: https://excellentpastor.com/episode-30-the-emotional-challenges-of-church-growth/
Free "Psalms" Sermon Series Download: https://excellentpastor.com/may-sermon-series-giveaway-2/
This past August I celebrated 10 years as a senior pastor, and at the same time our church surpassed 500 in weekly attendance. I'm sharing the best things I’ve learned along with way that helped our church grow and allowed us to keep going during the toughest seasons of ministry.
For more information visit: http://excellentpastor.com/10-things-ive-learned-pastoring-10-years-and-finally-breaking-the-500-barrier/
Links mentioned in this podcast: Toxic Soul (Book): https://amzn.to/2LcaI7w
Free Sermon Series: http://excellentpastor.com/may-sermon-series-giveaway-2/
Post about people leaving your church: http://excellentpastor.com/9-things-a-pastor-needs-to-remember-when-someone-leaves-the-church/
Kyle Jackson's post about fighting for optimism: http://excellentpastor.com/5-characteristics-growing-churches/
Jeremy's post about how to fire an employee: http://excellentpastor.com/6-things-to-do-when-you-have-to-have-a-hard-conversation-with-a-staff-memberleader/
As we head into a new year, we hope it will be our best year ever but results are beyond our control; God controls outcomes. All we can control is our heart and health. We can't grow our church but we can grow ourselves.
In 1 Kings 19 God uses 5 things to get Elijah healthy after he burned out and freaked out.
- Sleep
- Food
- More Sleep
- An Experience With God
- Friendship
In this Bonus Episode Jason talks about installing these 5 habits to lead healthy in 2019.
When you're trying to grow your church and make a great impression on guests, it's easy to believe the most important factor to your churches success is the quality of the service; the worship, preaching, videos, etc. This idea causes pastors and leaders to spend time they don't have obsession over the details that don't matter as much as other factors that speak to the overall health of the church and the pastor.
For more information visit: http://excellentpastor.com/5-things-that-matter-more-than-the-quality-of-your-sunday-service-and-facility
Links mentioned in this podcast: Kayla Jackson's post about optimism: http://excellentpastor.com/5-characteristics-growing-churches/
Jason's post about giving: http://excellentpastor.com/3-ways-create-generous-culture-church/
Imagine what it would feel like to not have to scramble on Friday or Saturday to finish your sermon. Imagine what it would feel like to have stories and illustrations and creative elements ready ahead of time? Imagine what it would feel like to take Sundays off and not be worried that you picked the wrong day. Today we're talking about using a preaching calendar and giving away a free 2019 One-Page Preaching Calendar at excellentpastor.com
Links Mentioned In This Podcast: Download Your Free Preaching Calendar: http://excellentpastor.com/free-download-preaching-calendar/
4 Reasons Every Pastor Should Use A preaching Calendar Blog Post: http://excellentpastor.com/free-download-preaching-calendar/
5 Ways To Get The Most Out Of A Yearly Preaching Calendar: http://excellentpastor.com/5-ways-to-get-the-most-out-of-a-yearly-preaching-calendar
Today's podcast is a free audio version from Chapter 1 of "Toxic Soul: A Pastor's Guide To Leading Without Losing Heart." In the last year I have fallen in love with audiobooks, and I hope today's podcast will give you the chance to give it a try.
Links Mentioned in This Podcast: Toxic Soul Book: https://amzn.to/2Q5z9l8
Audible.com Free Trial: https://www.audible.com/pd/B07B3L83X7/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-109442&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_109442_rh_us
You want to reach more people with the gospel message, but how? Most churches just hope more people show up, but there is a better way. You can maximize marketing dollars by avoiding these 7 common church marketing mistakes.
Links mentions in this podcast: Blog Post with Pictures and Links: http://excellentpastor.com/the-7-most-commo…-how-to-fix-them/
Free Sermon Series Giveaway - excellentpastor.com/september-sermo…eries-giveaway/
Lightstock Photo Discount: https://www.lightstock.com/pricing/?coupon_code=ExcellentPastor
Typically churches experience a growth spurt, but within a few weeks, months, or years, eventually the church returns to the place it has historically averaged Why does this cycle of grow-recede-grow-recede, happen time and time again? The answer is simple, but it isn’t easy: Because growth requires change.
Links mentioned in this podcast: Blog Post (with charts) - http://excellentpastor.com/4-reasons-churches-dont-sustain-their-growth-why-attendance-goes-up-but-always-comes-down/
Jeremy's Post about delegation - http://excellentpastor.com/create-leadership-development-culture-church/
Kyle's post about scalable pastoral care - http://excellentpastor.com/5-characteristics-growing-churches/
Free Sermon Series Giveaway - http://excellentpastor.com/september-sermon-series-giveaway/
Shawn Lovejoy is the Founder & CEO of CourageToLead.com. His heart beats for coaching leaders and helping them conquer whatever's keeping them up at night. Shawn has been a Real Estate Developer, a Church Planter, a Mega Church Pastor, and a coach.
In this conversation we focus on vision. How does a pastor discover the God given for their church, how do they communicate the vision, and most importantly how do they protect the vision.
For more information visit: http://excellentpastor.com/shawn-lovejoy-be-mean-about-the-vision
Links mentioned in this interview: Be Mean About The Vision: https://amzn.to/2KtIiRE Courage To Lead Coaching: https://www.couragetolead.com/ July Sermon Series Giveaway: http://excellentpastor.com/july-sermon-series-giveaway/
If it hasn’t happened yet it will; get ready. No matter how great of a pastor, leader, preacher, shepherd, or friend you are, someone you swore would never leave is going to leave your church. When families leave the church it can cause a pastor to get defensive or deflated, but it doesn't have to be that way.
Links mentioned in this podcast: July Free Sermon Series (Worst Day Ever): http://excellentpastor.com/july-sermon-series-giveaway/ Toxic Soul (book): https://amzn.to/2mnZXQk Why Our Small Church Gave A Megachurch $1000: http://excellentpastor.com/small-church-gave-megachurch-1000/
Pastor Dave Ferguson pastors Community Christian Church in the Chicago area. He also leads Exponential a conference and network for church leaders who want to be Heromakers, and he is the founder of the Newthing Church Planting Network.
In this interview we talked Dave's new book "Heromaker," how pastors can make a big impact even if they don't pastor a big church, developing more leaders, sharing the spotlight, and dreaming bigger dreams.
For more information visit: http://excellentpastor.com/hero-maker-develop-leaders-dave-ferguson
Links mentioned in this podcast: Hero Maker: https://amzn.to/2tD8uTg Newthing Network: http://www.newthing.org/ Exponential Conference: https://exponential.org/ July Sermon Series Giveaway: http://excellentpastor.com/july-sermon-series-giveaway/
Pastor Wesley Weatherford leads Oasis Church at Hephziba in Augusta GA. In this interview we talk about the lessons learned over the last 8 years planting a new church from scratch, being a portable church twice, and merging with an existing church.
For more information visit: http://excellentpastor.com/episode-19-lessons-learned-church-planting-portable-church
Links mentioned in this podcast: Oasis Church at Hephziba: https://www.myoasis.tv/ In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day: https://amzn.to/2IwkRW1 July Sermon Series Giveaway: excellentpastor.com/july-sermon-series-giveaway/
Pastor Larry Osborne has pastored Northcoast Church for 38 years and over that time has seen the congregation grow from 70 people to over 10,000 in attendance each week. We talked about what almost 4 decades of ministry has taught him about dealing with problems, getting through difficult seasons, leading his family, and finishing well.
For more information visit: http://excellentpastor.com/episode-17-pasto…ve-larry-osborne/
Links mentioned in this podcast: Lead Like A Shepherd: https://amzn.to/2Ltc1u4 A Contrariants Guide To Knowing God: https://amzn.to/2JAipT0 Thriving in Babylon: https://amzn.to/2Jx0NYe Sticky Teams: https://amzn.to/2JvMliV Sticky Church: https://amzn.to/2Jy7LMh June Sermon Series Giveaway: http://excellentpastor.com/june-sermon-series-giveaway/
Jerry Lawson pastors Daystar Church in Cullman Alabama. Any given week several thousand people attend multiple campuses, but it wasn't always that way. When Jerry arrived at Daystar it was called Glory Hill Church of God and had a handful of people. Over the years Jerry has led the church to relaunch, adapt and grow and he talks about that process in our interview today.
For More Information visit: http://excellentpastor.com/episode-17-transitioning-traditional-church-megachurch-jerry-lawson/
Links mentioned in this podcast: June Series Giveaway: http://excellentpastor.com/june-sermon-series-giveaway/
It's tempting to believe that talented pastors grow churches. Sure, talent doesn't hurt, but talented pastors don't grow churches; empowering pastors grow churches. This podcast will explain how to be a more empowering power and 4 conversations a pastor should have every week.
For more information visit: http://excellentpastor.com/4-conversations-pastor-every-week-want-develop-leaders/
Links mentioned in this podcast: Episode #15 with Brady Boyd: http://excellentpastor.com/episode-15-running-spotlight-healthy-leadership-social-media-dangers-pastor-brady-boyd/
May Sermon Series Giveaway: http://excellentpastor.com/may-sermon-series-giveaway
June Sermon Series Giveaway: http://excellentpastor.com/june-sermon-series-giveaway
Toxic Soul: A Pastor's Guide To Leading Without Losing Heart: https://amzn.to/2ISdkG6
Pastor Brady Boyd is the pastor of New Life Church in Colorado Springs Colorado. Brady followed Ted Haggard at New Life and has spent the last decade preaching integrity, humility, and protecting your heart.
In our interview we talk about the dangers of the spotlight and social media for every leader, along with how to last and finish well in ministry. This is a great interview for any leader looking to lead long term.
Links mentioned in this podcast: Addicted to Busy - https://amzn.to/2LgTNMZ Speak Life - https://amzn.to/2IDcsRt Pastor by Eugene Peterson - https://amzn.to/2LjZmu8
May Sermon Series Giveaway, "How To Hear God's Voice" - http://excellentpastor.com/may-sermon-series-giveaway/
Recently our church launched a giving camping to raise $1.5 million. We actually exceeded our goal and raised almost $1.6 million. This was my first large scale giving campaign and I learned some valuable lessons that I share on today's podcast.
Links mentioned in the podcast: 3 Painful Reasons Your Church Isn't More Generous: http://excellentpastor.com/3-painful-reasons-church-isnt-generous/ Toxic Soul: https://amzn.to/2JiMXoh The Circle Maker: https://amzn.to/2K7mHi5
Follow Jason on Social Media Facebook: http://facebook.com/jasonisaacswriting Twitter: http://twitter.com/jasonisaacs Instagram: http://instagram.com/jasonisaacs
Kyle Jackson serves as the Gateway Campus Pastor for Next Level Church in Fort Meyers, FL and the director of Next Level Coaching. We talk about 5 trends he sees at growing chruches he is visting and consulting.
For more information about Next Level Coaching click here: http://nextlevelcoaching.tv
Here is the link to the book "Hero Maker" that I referenced: https://amzn.to/2GFlU5I
Jeremy Isaacs shares 5 questions every leader needs to be asking your team. Jeremy serves as pastor for Canton Church in Canton GA and each month he has a one on one meeting with each staff member to ask 5 questions. Whether you have a staff or a team of volunteers this podcast will help you lead them more effectively.
For more information visit: http://excellentpastor.com/5-questions-need-keep-asking-team/
Buy a copy of Toxic Soul visit: amzn.to/2ySmI2B
Follow Jason: Facebook: facebook.com/jasonisaacswriting Twitter: twitter.com/jasonisaacs Instagram: instagram.com/jasonisaacs
Easter is almost here and I hope you are planning and preparing because it will probably be the largest attended service of the year for your church. In this podcast I give you 10 Easter planning mistakes to avoid PLUS I give you a FREE Easter Planning Checklist.
To Download the Easter Planning Checklist click here: http://excellentpastor.com/10-easter-planning-mistakes-avoid-easter/
To Purchase Toxic Soul click here: http://amzn.to/2C07oXQ
Follow Jason on social media: Facebook: https://facebook.com/jasonisaacswriting Twitter: https://twitter.com/jasonisaacs Instagram: https://instagram.com/jasonisaacs
Pastor Micah Pelkey serves as the Lead Pastor of Storyside Church in Bellville OH. Over the last decade the church has grown from a few hundred people to several thousand in weekly attendance because Storyside has made the choice to be a grace-first church. In this episode we talk about what that means and how other churches and pastors can lead with grace first.
For more information about Pastor Micah and Storyside Church you can visit: Pastor Micah Twitter - https://twitter.com/micahpelkey Pastor Micah Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/micahpelkey Church Website: http://storysidechurch.com
Pastor Kevin Wallace serves as the Senior Pastor of Redemption For The Nations in Chattanooga TN. He is known as one of the best preachers in the church and was kind enough to sit down with me and talk about how he prepares his sermons and preaches with purpose. If you like to preach you will love this episode.
For more information visit: http://excellentpastor.com/episode-09-preaching-power-purpose-kevin-wallace/
Follow Jason: Facebook: facebook.com/jasonisaacswriting Twitter: twitter.com/jasonisaacs Instagram: instagram.com/jasonisaacs
Kevin Lloyd serves at Newbreak Church in San Diego California. At the time of this recording he was serving as the Executive Pastor of Stevens Creek Church in Augusta GA. Kevin and I talked about how to increase giving, lower spending, create a healthy church finance structure, and Pastor with less Financial Pressure.
Church leaders love to learn and grow but we can aslo be pretty stubborn. Usually the greatest opportunity for growth comes when we're learning to take advice we don't want to hear.
For more information visit: http://excellentpastor.com/5-pieces-advice-church-leaders-hate-hear/
Links mentioned in the podcast 2018 Preaching Calendar: excellentpastor.com/free-download-2…ching-calendar/
Buy a copy of Toxic Soul visit: amzn.to/2ySmI2B
Follow Jason: Facebook: facebook.com/jasonisaacswriting Twitter: twitter.com/jasonisaacs Instagram: instagram.com/jasonisaacs
This is Part 2 from an earlier epsiode of the podcast where Jeremy Isaacs and I talk about 10 Reasons Pastors lose thier passion For Ministry .
Listen to Part 1: https://soundcloud.com/cfpe/2-10-reasons-pastors-lose-thier-passion-for-ministry-part-1-with-jeremy-isaacs
For more information visit: http://excellentpastor.com/10-reasons-pastors-church-leaders-get-discouraged/
Links mentioned in the podcast: 2018 Preaching Calendar: excellentpastor.com/free-download-2…ching-calendar/
Buy a copy of Toxic Soul visit: http://amzn.to/2ySmI2B
Follow Jason: Facebook: facebook.com/jasonisaacswriting Twitter: twitter.com/jasonisaacs Instagram: instagram.com/jasonisaacs
Marty Baker is the founder and lead pastor of Stevens Creek Church in Augusta GA. Over the last 25 years Stevens Creek has grown from a few people in a living room to a congregation of over 2000 but it took much longer than Pastor Marty hoped and believed it would.
For more information visit: http://excellentpastor.com/church-grows-slower-want-interview-marty-baker/
Follow Jason: Facebook: facebook.com/jasonisaacswriting Twitter: twitter.com/jasonisaacs Instagram: instagram.com/jasonisaacs
It's a new year! I want to help you set 7 Heathly Goals. I truly believe this can be your best year for your leadership and your church.
For more information visit: http://excellentpastor.com/7-healthy-goals-church/
Links mentioned in the podcast 2018 Preaching Calendar: http://excellentpastor.com/free-download-2018-preaching-calendar/
Why Our Small Church Gave $1000 To A Megachurch: http://excellentpastor.com/small-church-gave-megachurch-1000/
Buy a copy of Toxic Soul visit: http://amzn.to/2ySmI2B
Follow Jason: Facebook: facebook.com/jasonisaacswriting Twitter: twitter.com/jasonisaacs Instagram: instagram.com/jasonisaacs
Christmas Services are complete and whether you lead 1 service or 50 services, there are 4 things you need to do in order to maximize the impact of the services.
For more information visit: http://excellentpastor.com
Links mentioned in the podcast 2018 Preaching Calendar: http://excellentpastor.com/free-download-2018-preaching-calendar/
Connecting Guests with Free Software: http://excellentpastor.com/connect-visitors-using-planning-center-workflow/
Follow Jason: Facebook: facebook.com/jasonisaacswriting Twitter: twitter.com/jasonisaacs Instagram: instagram.com/jasonisaacs
Pastoring is hard. The good times can make you feel invincible but the bad times cause you to lose your passion for ministry and doubt your calling. Jeremy Isaacs joins me to talk about 10 Reasons Pastors lose thier passion For Ministry .
For more information visit: http://excellentpastor.com/10-reasons-pastors-church-leaders-get-discouraged/
Links mentioned in the podcast 2018 Preaching Calendar: excellentpastor.com/free-download-2…ching-calendar/
Buy a copy of Toxic Soul visit: http://amzn.to/2ySmI2B
It's frustrating when the dream in your heart is bigger than your budget. It's even more frustrating when you know there are more resources in your church but you don't have a generous culture. In this episode Jason shares 3 ways to create a more generous culture in your church with stories and ideas from 10 years of pastoring at Hope City Church.
For more information visit: http://excellentpastor.com/3-ways-create-generous-culture-church/
Follow Jason: Facebook: http://facebook.com/jasonisaacswriting Twitter: http://twitter.com/jasonisaacs Instagram: http://instagram.com/jasonisaacs
We're relaunching the Excellent Pastor Podcast. Subscribe on iTunes or Soundcloud!
For more information visit http://excellentpastor.com