Strength for Today's Pastor: Recent Episodes
Bill Holdridge
Practical Encouragement and Help for Senior or Lead Pastors.
Interviews with seasoned and tried pastoral leaders re: subjects that will edify current senior/lead pastors of churches.
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Steve Marquez is husband to Monica, and father of Cody, Jared, and Andrew.
Steve is a pastor, a teacher, a former church planter, a musician, a former journalist, photographer, and founder of a non-profit ministry called Stage 4 Ministries.
Monica, Steve's wife, is her husband's co-laborer in life and also in ministry, She is a super effective and fruitful minister in her own right.
In 2014, the Marquez family received astonishing and shocking news. Steve was diagnosed with stage 3 Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC), which is kidney cancer. Later, it was discovered that he had stage 4, metastatic RCC. Eventually, he and Monica started Stage 4 Ministries. That story is told in podcast 158 of Strength for Today's Pastor.
So, what’s new with Stage 4 Ministries? Steve and Monica are excited about Solace, a new way of serving not only potential end of life cancer patients, but also the ones who provide care (caregivers).
Solace is a ministry tool and template for any church seeking to provide such care, not only to church congregants, but also to the surrounding community.
Listen in for more, and find out how you can gain a deep dive understanding of how the Lord might use Solace and Stage 4 Ministries in your ministries.
Spoiler alert: the exciting, God-glorifying story of Steve's healing is also contained in this episode!
Resources
Book: Grace for the Battle
Blog: https://stmarq.substack.com/
Website: https://www.stage4ministries.com/
For Poimen Ministries, its staff, ministries, and focus, go to poimenministries.com. To contact Poimen Ministries, email us at strongerpastors@gmail.com. May the Lord revive His work in the midst of these years!
Comments? Questions? Send us a message!
Joyful generosity. It's a biblical concept.
2 Corinthians 9:7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
Is it possible to outgive God?
Is it possible for a congregation to be led in such a way that the body of believers will love, love, love giving to God, giving to others, and investing in His kingdom.
Find out some suggestions that might help you, the pastor, accomplish that with your fellowship.
For Poimen Ministries, its staff, ministries, and focus, go to poimenministries.com. To contact Poimen Ministries, email us at strongerpastors@gmail.com. May the Lord revive His work in the midst of these years!
Comments? Questions? Send us a message!
This is the second of a three part series on pastors and leaders discipling the saints in the areas of giving and stewardship
Not always an easy topic to address, but important.
Jesus taught His disciples on the subjects of giving and stewardship.
Jesus commanded us to go and make disciples, teaching people to observe all things He has commanded us.
Therefore, we are to teach people about giving and stewardship as part of our discipling curriculum.
These short episodes are designed to give some practical ideas and tools to the equippers. Our prayer is that the Holy Spirit will make at least some of these concepts useful to the hearers.
For Poimen Ministries, its staff, ministries, and focus, go to poimenministries.com. To contact Poimen Ministries, email us at strongerpastors@gmail.com. May the Lord revive His work in the midst of these years!
Comments? Questions? Send us a message!
This is the first in a three part series which can be helpful to senior pastors and church leadership teams re: how to practically deal with giving and stewardship in their churches.
First, we'll look at where teaching and leading on giving and stewardship fit within the overall concept of equipping the saints for ministry ... which we pastors are called by God to do.
It may be a new thought for some, but teaching and leading in these areas is part of Christian discipleship, which we're also called to do.
We'll even go so far as to say that we can't develop fully mature believers without helping them discover and practice these truths.
If Jesus instructed His disciples (and us) in these matters, then this must be part of our curriculum as we disciple others.
The transcript of this podcast is attached.
For Poimen Ministries, its staff, ministries, and focus, go to poimenministries.com. To contact Poimen Ministries, email us at strongerpastors@gmail.com. May the Lord revive His work in the midst of these years!
Comments? Questions? Send us a message!
Our devices. Our phones. Our laptops. Our tablets. Our iPads.
Whatever.
They can be a huge blessing.
They can be an enormous distraction.
Listen in to this carefully and thoughtfully developed episode, taught by Pastor Nate Holdridge at Calvary Monterey in May 2025.
Speaking personally, it blessed and encouraged me, big-time. I'm working smarter now, even on my so-called smart phone.
Listen and share. This will helm many.
For Poimen Ministries, its staff, ministries, and focus, go to poimenministries.com. To contact Poimen Ministries, email us at strongerpastors@gmail.com. May the Lord revive His work in the midst of these years!
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Cory Kilgus is a man with a vision. His vision drives his efforts.
The key to all of this is explained in this podcast. Get the right vision (the Biblical vision), and then follow the Lord and trust the Holy Spirit to get it done.
A simple recipe for God-produced success. A pattern for pastors and church planters and disciplers everywhere.
For Poimen Ministries, its staff, ministries, and focus, go to poimenministries.com. To contact Poimen Ministries, email us at strongerpastors@gmail.com. May the Lord revive His work in the midst of these years!
Comments? Questions? Send us a message!
Welcome to Podcast 174. Today I’m with Dr. Bruce Hebel, author of the incredible, life altering book Forgiving Forward: Experience the Freedom of the Gospel through the Power of Forgiveness.
All close followers of Jesus Christ know that we should forgive others, but there are things about forgiveness that are about as clear as mud to us.
In this episode of SFTP, we talked with Bruce about the common misconceptions that are out there about what forgiveness really means, and how to actually do it.
Among the misconceptions are the following ones:
-forgiveness is not a process (it’s a decision)
-to forgive someone, there’s no need to go to that person and tell him/her.
-Forgiveness is transacted with the Father. See Mark 11:25-26
-forgiveness is not the same thing as reconciliation
-forgiveness is not salvific; but, forgiveness of the wounds of others determines how the Father acts toward us in this life (Matthew 6:12, 14-15)
And more...
Feedback and/or questions welcomed!
For Poimen Ministries, its staff, ministries, and focus, go to poimenministries.com. To contact Poimen Ministries, email us at strongerpastors@gmail.com. May the Lord revive His work in the midst of these years!
Comments? Questions? Send us a message!
At 72 years of age, Pastor John Offutt of LifeSource Community Church in Lindale, Texas, is hardly a young man. He started LifeSource when he was in his 60s, hardly an age thought to be fitting for a new church plant.
One of the main things he had in his favor was that he'd been around the block before, several times in fact. He had experience and was (and is) gifted to do what he does.
But he also didn't care. Meaning, he didn't care how others thought he should lead this new work; he was free. Free to lead. Free to assemble a team that could come together and radically touch the community.
It's an innovative church. They every month of the year that has five Sundays, and dedicate that Sunday to meeting urgent needs in the community. In other words, they don't meet in the church facility, they meet at numerous homes to help in Jesus' name.
They have a "cash helps" Sunday each month, when congregants prepare to give cash offerings which are distributed on the spot to those who need it.
They have The Journey Class, which disciples newcomers and new believers in a number of areas... and they call the graduates of the class "partners." Included in the curriculum? Congregants learn how to practice gospel-centered forgiveness, and are expected to actually do it.
A refreshing church, diverse yet unified.
This episode focuses on The Journey Class.
For Poimen Ministries, its staff, ministries, and focus, go to poimenministries.com. To contact Poimen Ministries, email us at strongerpastors@gmail.com. May the Lord revive His work in the midst of these years!
Comments? Questions? Send us a message!
For Poimen Ministries, its staff, ministries, and focus, go to poimenministries.com. To contact Poimen Ministries, email us at strongerpastors@gmail.com. May the Lord revive His work in the midst of these years!
Comments? Questions? Send us a message!
The Barnabas Method has silently transformed over 500 men's lives across decades, and now this powerful discipleship process is available to every church leader seeking authentic spiritual formation for the men they shepherd.
What's the difference between knowing biblical information and becoming like Christ? According to Pastor Dale Lewis, most discipleship approaches focus too heavily on knowledge acquisition while neglecting the transformational aspects of spiritual growth.
"Barnabas is about becoming the right person, not just having the right answers," Lewis explains, drawing from his decades of experience implementing this 13-week process.
The genius of the Barnabas Method lies in its radical relationality. Built on what Lewis calls "the three Ts" - teachability, transparency, and transference - this approach creates safe spaces for men to admit they don't know everything, share vulnerably about their struggles, and commit to passing what they learn to others. The process unfolds through weekly meetings where men practice focused listening, report on dates with their wives, tackle biblical concepts like new covenant living, and hold one another accountable with remarkable specificity.
Perhaps most counterintuitive is the requirement that the pastor or leader position themselves as a fellow learner rather than an expert who has "arrived." This vulnerability creates the conditions for authentic community where true transformation can occur. "If you can't learn from another man," Lewis warns, "that's saying something about how much you're actually going to learn from the Holy Spirit."
The curriculum traces its origins through a discipleship lineage including Ray Stedman, Harry Ironside, and J. Vernon McGee, but has been refined and streamlined into a reproducible process any church can implement. After completing the 13 weeks, participants are encouraged to begin discipling others, creating exponential multiplication that transforms not just individual men but entire church cultures.
Ready to move beyond programs to transformation? Download the free Barnabas curriculum in any of 103 languages at ScriptureSupply.com and join the growing movement of churches discovering that discipleship isn't about filling positions—it's about forming men who increasingly reflect Christ.
Again, to access the curriculum, go to scripturesupply.com, then navigate to Teachings, then to Special Studies, then to Barnabas. It’s all there.
You can download the curriculum in PDF format using the following link:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fYlSxeF9mEfTOKoUdx5aC2IqVE1GMQxK/view?usp=drive_link
For Poimen Ministries, its staff, ministries, and focus, go to poimenministries.com. To contact Poimen Ministries, email us at strongerpastors@gmail.com. May the Lord revive His work in the midst of these years!
Comments? Questions? Send us a message!
This is a podcast done by Karl Vaters (author, Small Church Essentials) and Sean Nemecek, a pastor who ministers to pastors to help keep them vitalized and fruitful.
The name of the podcast is The Church Lobby, Conversations on Faith and Ministry.
We asked permission to play this episode in its entirety. I think you'll find it to be extremely helpful and practical, dealing with the subject of pastoral sabbaticals. The Why, When, and How.
Such a need in today's pastoral and church climate, where pastors are commonly becoming burned out and unhealthy, largely due to the demand upon them in this impossible calling (impossible apart from God's enabling help).
For Poimen Ministries, its staff, ministries, and focus, go to poimenministries.com. To contact Poimen Ministries, email us at strongerpastors@gmail.com. May the Lord revive His work in the midst of these years!
Comments? Questions? Send us a message!
Pastor Brian Heminger has been in pastoral ministry for a lot of years, most recently as the founding and longtime pastor of Calvary Chapel Half Moon Bay.
As such, Brian was bi-vocational. His work life outside of the church was as a full-time evangelist, in the role of barber.
Now he's retired from that role, but continues in his calling as a pastor-teacher.
We pastors all need encouragement. Brian's story provides that for all of us.
Blessings,
Bill Holdridge
For Poimen Ministries, its staff, ministries, and focus, go to poimenministries.com. To contact Poimen Ministries, email us at strongerpastors@gmail.com. May the Lord revive His work in the midst of these years!
Comments? Questions? Send us a message!
Episode 169 of SFTP tells the story of what it's like to minister in Las Vegas, Nevada, aka "sin city".
It CAN be done! Where sin abounds, grace much more abounds. We all know that, but it's for real in the Las Vegas valley.
Hear from Pastor John Knapp about some of the ways the Holy Spirit has led their church, Calvary Chapel Green Valley, to be fruitful and growing in Christ.
The transcript is also part of this episode...
For Poimen Ministries, its staff, ministries, and focus, go to poimenministries.com. To contact Poimen Ministries, email us at strongerpastors@gmail.com. May the Lord revive His work in the midst of these years!
Comments? Questions? Send us a message!
168- Dale Lewis: A Pastor You Need to Know
In the latest episode of our podcast, we had the privilege of speaking with Pastor Dale Lewis, a man whose life and ministry have been profoundly shaped by his unique journey of faith. Pastor Dale shares his story, one that begins with a challenging childhood and evolves into a life dedicated to spiritual mentorship and leadership.
Growing up without a father, Dale's early years were marked by a search for meaning and belonging. His journey took a transformative turn when he encountered the Gospel of John, a moment that ignited a lifelong hunger for the Word of God. This pivotal experience set the stage for his future ministry, where he would go on to pastor two Calvary Chapel churches and become a mentor to many.
Pastor Dale's approach to ministry is deeply relational, emphasizing the importance of discipleship and intentionality. He shares how his upbringing, though difficult, created a vacuum that was filled by a deep desire to connect with his Heavenly Father. This connection fueled his passion for the Scriptures and his commitment to sharing what he learned with others.
One of the most compelling aspects of Pastor Dale's story is his dedication to making Bible resources accessible to pastors and Christians worldwide. Through his project, Scripturesupply.com, he provides Bible study commentary in 103 languages, free of charge. This initiative reflects his heart for equipping others and ensuring that the Word of God is available to all, regardless of language or location.
In addition to his ministry work, Pastor Dale shares a personal story of love and obedience. After the passing of his first wife, Donna, he experienced a God-ordained journey to remarriage that defied conventional expectations. This story of faith and trust in God's plan is both heartwarming and inspiring.
Throughout the episode, Pastor Dale emphasizes the importance of being intentional in ministry, particularly in the area of succession planning and mentoring future leaders. His insights are invaluable for pastors and leaders seeking to make a lasting impact in their communities.
Tune in to this episode to hear Pastor Dale Lewis's full story and be inspired by his unwavering commitment to faith, mentorship, and the global spread of God's Word. Whether you're a pastor, a leader, or someone seeking encouragement in your spiritual journey, this conversation offers wisdom and hope. Don't miss it!
For Poimen Ministries, its staff, ministries, and focus, go to poimenministries.com. To contact Poimen Ministries, email us at strongerpastors@gmail.com. May the Lord revive His work in the midst of these years!
Comments? Questions? Send us a message!
167- Testimony: Powerful Renewal in the Holy Spirit- with John Knapp
In the bustling community of Henderson, Nevada, a spiritual renewal is taking place at Calvary Chapel Green Valley under the leadership of Pastor John Knapp. For over 26 years, Pastor John has been a guiding light for his congregation, but recently, a new wave of the Holy Spirit has invigorated the church, bringing a fresh sense of purpose and community.
The story begins with a simple question: “Did you hear what’s going on in Asbury?” This question sparked a journey that would lead Pastor John to seek not just revival for his church but a deep, transformative experience with the Holy Spirit. Inspired by the revival at Asbury University, Pastor John felt a divine nudge to bring that same spirit of renewal to his congregation.
Pastor John’s approach is deeply rooted in the power of prayer and the community it fosters. He emphasizes the importance of becoming a praying pastor and leading a praying church. By transforming their weekly prayer meetings into full-fledged renewal services, complete with worship and an openness to the Holy Spirit, Calvary Chapel Green Valley has become a beacon of hope and transformation.
The key to this renewal is the focus on community. Las Vegas, often misunderstood as merely a city of sin, is home to many who are hungry for genuine connection and healing. Pastor John sees this as an opportunity to offer a community centered in Christ, where individuals can experience the love and truth of God’s word.
Pastor John’s journey is a testament to the power of faith and the willingness to be led by the Spirit. His story is not just about revival in a single church but a call to pastors and church leaders everywhere to seek transformation through prayer and community. As Pastor John puts it, “The power of God is made manifest when it’s changing hearts and lives.”
If you’re looking for inspiration and practical insights into leading a church community toward spiritual renewal, this episode is a must-listen. Join us as we explore the transformative journey of Calvary Chapel Green Valley and discover how you, too, can invite the Holy Spirit into your life and ministry.
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Pastor John Knapp of Calvary Chapel Green Valley in Henderson, Nevada is passionate about the Lord Jesus Christ and he and the fellowship he pastors are experiencing a wonderful time of renewal in the Holy Spirit.
So, that's what we’re going to speaking with him about today … we'll hear their testimony and the wisdom the Spirit has given them.
John is the founding pastor of CC Green Valley and has pastored for years. I (Bill Holdridge) met John through being practically neighbors, and through the monthly senior pastor’s breakfast that happens in Las Vegas.
It’s been said of some churches that if the Holy Spirit completely vacated the building and fellowship life, things wouldn’t miss a beat. Implying, of course, that all they had been doing was energized by human effort only, and not influenced by the very One Jesus prayed about to His Father, that He (the Holy Spirit) would be our parakletos.
How might a senior pastor move more into the realm and ministry of the Holy Spirit?
How does a pastor or congregation become open to the person of the Holy Spirit?
What has Calvary Chapel Green Valley learned about how to seek God for and be open to the Holy Spirit's direction in the life of the pastor and the church?
____________________________
Obviously, Poimen Ministries bel
For Poimen Ministries, its staff, ministries, and focus, go to poimenministries.com. To contact Poimen Ministries, email us at strongerpastors@gmail.com. May the Lord revive His work in the midst of these years!
Comments? Questions? Send us a message!
Comments? Questions? Send us a message!
In this heartfelt episode, Bill Holdridge shares a powerful message delivered at Regeneration Church in Scotts Valley, California. This episode is a departure from our usual format, as Bill recounts a personal journey of forgiveness and the transformative power it holds for pastors and believers alike. Drawing from his own experiences and the teachings of Bruce Hell, author of "Forgiving Forward," Bill explores the profound impact of forgiveness on our lives and ministries.
Discover the freedom that comes from applying the gospel's power of forgiveness, and learn how to forgive others from the heart. Bill shares practical insights, including the seven Protocols of Forgiveness, and emphasizes the importance of forgiving everyone of everything. Through personal stories and biblical truths, this episode offers a roadmap to release the burdens of unforgiveness and live in the joy and peace that God intends for us.
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Introduction and Purpose of the Episode
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The Gift of Forgiveness
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Personal Story of Forgiveness
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The Biblical Mandate to Forgive
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Understanding Forgiveness and Reconciliation
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The Protocols of Forgiveness
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The Cost of Unforgiveness
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The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
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The Consequences of Unforgiveness
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The Father's Discipline and Love
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Application and Encouragement
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Closing Prayer and Resources
Join us as we delve into the heart of forgiveness and the freedom it brings. For more resources, reach out to Dr. Bruce Hebel and his wife Toni at forgivingforward.com. May this message inspire you to embrace the power of the gospel in forgiveness and lead your church into a healthier, stronger community filled with the joy of the Lord.
Strength for Today's Pastor is brought to you by Poment Ministries. Visit us at poimenministries.com. If you have questions or topic ideas, email us at strongerpastorsmail.com. May the Lord bless you as you serve Him, His pastors, and His church.
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Podcast 166 is one that I've wanted to do for some time, but needed to wait for the right time.
Now is the right time.
Pastor, do you want to experience the power of the gospel in forgiveness? Do you want this for your fellowship? I know you do.
In this episode of SFTP, discover:
- The forgiveness mandate, directly from the Lord's Jesus.
- The blessing of knowing we're forgiven.
- The blessings that result from forgiving others.
- The surprising meaning of the parable of the unforgiving servant in Matthew 18:21-35.
- The torture that results from refusing to forgive others.
- The protocols (how to do it) of forgiveness.
- Tried and tested resources to go to for help.
Listen in, and then share, share, share.
For Poimen Ministries, its staff, ministries, and focus, go to poimenministries.com. To contact Poimen Ministries, email us at strongerpastors@gmail.com. May the Lord revive His work in the midst of these years!
Comments? Questions? Send us a message!
This is podcast 164 of Strength for Today’s Pastor.
In this interview, I'm speaking with Pastor Dan Jacobsen, a lead/teaching pastor at Heartland Community Church in Olathe, Kansas.
In addition to his role as a pastor-teacher, Dan has the unique distinction of being a grandson of the now-in-heaven pastor and Bible teacher, the beloved Dr. Warren Wiersbe.
This is going to be a fun conversation for that reason alone. But wait! There will be more!
So, welcome to the program.
Be sure to listen to the end, to discover how to win something special from Dr. Wiersbe's works.
For Poimen Ministries, its staff, ministries, and focus, go to poimenministries.com. To contact Poimen Ministries, email us at strongerpastors@gmail.com. May the Lord revive His work in the midst of these years!
Comments? Questions? Send us a message!
Shaun and Sheila Sells have served faithfully as a senior/lead pastor and wife team with Calvary Chapel Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Then, after 20 years in that role, Shaun handed the church leadership reins over to his admin pastor, with a vision to move on to the next season of life and ministry for the both of them.
Both Shaun and Sheila are retired from the U.S. Air Force (Sheila ends her career in mid-November 2024).
Listen to their story, and get inspired and instructed by this couple's kingdom mindset.
Blessings as you do.
For Poimen Ministries, its staff, ministries, and focus, go to poimenministries.com. To contact Poimen Ministries, email us at strongerpastors@gmail.com. May the Lord revive His work in the midst of these years!
Comments? Questions? Send us a message!
Dr. Richard Clinton is an expert on Christian leadership. He and his father Dr. J. Robert Clinton have spent more than 40 years researching, analyzing, and instructing on the subject. They've looked at Biblical leaders, at leaders in the history of the church. They've been thorough, to say the least.
What Richard has to say with regard to the life stages of the Christian leader is vital and helpful for Christian leaders fom a vision and preparation standpoint. And also helpful for the older leaders as they move into their sunset years, as well as for younger leaders, to understand where they are in the overall plan of God for them right now.
Listen in, make comments, ask questions. We'll do our best to help.
For Poimen Ministries, its staff, ministries, and focus, go to poimenministries.com.
To contact Poimen Ministries, email us at strongerpastors@gmail.com.
May the Lord revive His work in the midst of these years!
Comments? Questions? Send us a message!
Richard Clinton is passionate with regard to helping Christian leaders—particularly pastors—finish well.
Richard pastored 5 churches during the course of his 40-year pastoral ministry, and also served with his father, Dr. J. Robert Clinton, in the field of Christian leadership studies and training. The book The Making of a Leader: Recognizing Lessons and Stages of Leadership Development is the foundational book resulting from their work.
49 Biblical leaders were evaluated carefully, using a consistent set of criteria. Had they finished well?The conclusion: only 13 of these leaders did finish well.
Join us in this episode, as Richard Clinton breaks down the patterns of those who did finish well, as well as the behaviors and areas of failure that led to finishing badly.
Obviously, this is very timely, given today's pastoral climate. And, there is help available!
For Poimen Ministries, its staff, ministries, and focus, go to poimenministries.com.
To contact Poimen Ministries, email us at strongerpastors@gmail.com.
May the Lord revive His work in the midst of these years!
Comments? Questions? Send us a message!
Podcast Episode 161
IntroductionWe love to hear pastors tell their own stories, and provide wisdom to others that they've gleaned and that has grown in them over their years of service.
Today we have with us pastor Rich Lammay, who has been a senior/lead pastor for 32+ years in the relatively small town of Gardnerville, Nevada.
Poimen Ministries recently served the church Rich serves, High Sierra Fellowship, as Rich and his wife Suzanne took three months to enjoyed a well-deserved and needed time away, to regroup and refresh. I was part of the serving team, and it was a wonderful experience for both me and pastor Phil Evans of Poimen Ministries.
So now that Rich is back in the saddle, so to speak, I wanted to have him share some of what he has learned, and some of what the Lord has done.
I think you'll be encouraged.
____________________________________________________
§ Welcome to Strength for Today’s Pastor, episode 161.
Poimen Ministries’ focus is for the strengthening and revitalization of the church. Therefore, the goal of this podcast is to provide interview episodes that will be encouraging to pastors and leaders anywhere.
§ So, today we have with us Pastor Rich Lammay, senior/lead pastor of High Sierra Fellowship, located in Gardnerville, Nevada.
High Sierra Fellowship is a wonderful church, a church I’ve personally gotten to know. It is an impressive work of God!
Rich has recently gotten back in the saddle after being given a three-month sabbatical after many years of ministry. So, we’re going to hear about that.
§ Rich, welcome to the program.
Interview
Bio Stuff
So Rich, let’s get to know you a bit here… you are married to Suzanne, and have been for over 50 years. Congrats on that…
Give us a 35,000’ view of your conversion, calling, and ministry life, if you would. (As an example, the church website does a great job telling the story concisely: https://hsfellowship.org/index.php/about-us/staff.)
Lessons of a Pioneer
So, you’ve been the lead pastor of HSF since 1992. You did that for a couple of years, and then by faith, left your corporate job to serve as a pastor-teacher full time. That was a pioneering step of faith! What did you learn, and how did that grow you?
Over the years, HSF has moved its primary meeting place a number of times. How many times has the church moved in the last 34 years?
Now, the church meets in its beautiful facilities right in the heart of Gardnerville. And after a relatively short time, you’re already running out of room.
Lessons Learned Over the Years
What are the top five lessons/concepts you’ve learned in your years of pastoral ministry?
Sabbatical Experience (And the Return)
A three-month sabbatical: what preparation was required to pull it off?
People have no idea the pressures upon a senior/lead pastor, but there are many. Decompression is needed, and sabbath is needed. How long did it take you to decompress?
What did the Lord do in you and Suzanne during your time away?
What did He show you?
G. Campbell Morgan made this statement: “The value of distance is perspective.” With the perspective of being away for three months, what has changed, might change, will change moving forward?
Two Minute Drill
Rich, I’d like you to take two minutes or less to speak directly to your
For Poimen Ministries, its staff, ministries, and focus, go to poimenministries.com.
To contact Poimen Ministries, email us at strongerpastors@gmail.com.
May the Lord revive His work in the midst of these years!
Welcome to Strength for Today’s Pastor, episode 160.
Our hope and goal is to provide encouragement, sometimes instruction, and sometimes ministry tools to current pastors and leaders, that the churches they serve might also be encouraged, strengthened, and equipped.
To that end, today we have with us Pastor Joey Crandall, senior/lead pastor of Calvary Chapel Carson Valley, located in Gardnerville, NV. We’re actually recording here in the church facility.
So Joey, thanks for traveling all this way to join us today.
Pastor Joey has an interesting story about how he ended up in the senior pastor position.
His vocational background was as a reporter—for 17 years. The Lord used his training as a journalist and reporter to help develop critical thinking and an ability to objectively observe and interpret details.
Joey ended up pastoring the very church he’d been part of since he was a young boy, succeeding a longtime, fruitful pastor in the Carson Valley and beyond.
Listen in as Joey tells his story, and hear as he explains some of the powerful lessons he learned in his formative years in pastoral ministry.
Joey’s story and lessons learned will be an encouragement to every Christian leader.
For Poimen Ministries, its staff, ministries, and focus, go to poimenministries.com.
To contact Poimen Ministries, email us at strongerpastors@gmail.com.
May the Lord revive His work in the midst of these years!
If we pastors don't know what we're aiming at, we'll never hit the target.
It's essential to have the right target, and there's no question that the Biblical target is to equip saints unto spiritual maturity and spiritual fruitfulness.
Join Bill Holdridge and Pastor Matt Valencia as they put skin on this topic, helpful for any pastor anywhere.
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Matt Valencia pastors The Regeneration Church in Scotts Valley, CA. He's a father of five, a church planter, a former school teacher, a former assisting pastor, and the current pastor of ReGen Church. He also heads up a team of leaders across Northern California and Northern Nevada. These leaders serve the senior pastors and churches affiliated with the Calvary Chapel Association.
In addition to all of these things, and working together with all of it, Matt is a leader. He leads quietly, he leads patiently, he leads with openness.
So, I thought he'd be a good person to talk about the spiritual health of the church, the spiritual health of any church.
There needs to be a clear set of metrics ... biblical metrics ... by which we can measure our own personal spiritual health, as well as that of the churches we pastor.
If we don't know what we're aiming at, how will we ever hit the target?
In this episode, show host Bill Holdridge and Pastor Matt talk together, touching these points from a number of interesting angles.
Lots to glean from in #159.
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It's nothing short of a miracle that Steve Marquez is still with us, here on planet earth. Listen to the story of his healing, and even more importantly, of the ministry to which God has called himPastors and leaders, this episode will provide great insights into how to minister to and care for cancer patients.Also, this episode will be super encouraging, illuminating many hearts towards kingdom ministry.Steve is the founding pastor of Calvary Chapel Ft. Smith, Arkansas, and the founder of Stage 4 Ministries. https://www.stage4ministries.com/Please listen, and then help Pastor Steve spread the word about this vital and important ministry.--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bill-holdridge/support
Pastor Don Rypstra is in his last days of a long pastorate in Rochester, Minnesota. His and his wife's move to northern Idaho means that a new normal is waiting for them, but also that someone will be called into an exciting opportunity to pastor and reach the people of Rochester, home of the world-renowned Mayo Clinic.
Pastor Don is not unlike many pastors, world-wide. Don is conscientious, faithful, thoughtful, and committed to Christ and the gospel.
Another thing Don has been: he's been bi-vocational throughout his senior/lead pastor life.
Over 25 years ago, he moved his family from California to Rochester in a career related move. Then the Lord called him into pastoral ministry, and to start a church. Which is what he did.
Don refers to himself as a small church pastor. More and more, others refer to such pastors as normal sized church pastors, because it's a more accurate description in terms of average church size in the U.S.
In this podcast, Don tells part of their story to show host Bill Holdridge.
Not only is their story told, but the opportunity is now open to another called and gifted man to assume the leadership of Calvary Chapel Rochester.
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It's a huge problem. And because of it, we're losing many of our best youth to the world, the flesh, and the devil. Too often, the young people in our churches run off to college or university and subsequently abandon the faith. Also, in our churches there often is a big chasm between what happens in youth or college groups, and what is going on in adult church. The younger generation isn't learning how to connect or get involved in service to Christ within the body.Many recognize these problems, and some pastors are actually doing something radical and visionary to rectify it.One such pastor is Gary Malkus, Jr. Gary is the senior pastor of Calvary Chapel in Victorville, California. Gary's story was told in SFTP episode 155. In epidode 156, Gary's vision to reach the next generation is told. What he has to say will get pastors and youth leaders thinking, and some will be moved to do something about their thoughts. For the sake of God's kingdom...--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bill-holdridge/support
Every pastor has a testimony, but very few have one like Gary Malkus Jr.
Inspiring and directional, Gary's testimony touches a lot of lives, from those in the worst kind bondage to those who need to remember where they came from as they deal with present realities and future dreams.
An amazing story... from meth to ministry.
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Sandy Adams is the pastor of Calvary Chapel Stone Mountain, Georgia. He is known as a tremendous communicator and teacher of God's Word.
At the recent International Pastor's Conference in Southern California, Sandy delivered a message entitled "Just Because You Can Doesn't Mean You Should". His text was from 1 Samuel 24, the account of David having had a chance to kill Saul in a cave in En Gedi, but refused to touch the Lord's anointed. Yet, he did cut off the corner of Saul's robe.
At first glance, the story doesn't indicate any serious wrongdoing on David's part, but upon further review... his action had an insidious evil about it, one that David himself was troubled by what he's done.
"Just because we can doesn't mean that we should." It's an incredibly appropriate aphorism for all in spiritual leadership; for anyone who has been anointed by God in such a way that his/her authority gives him/her opportunities to do things that may be possible, but that should not be seized upon.
An epic message, one that is greatly needed in this hour of the church.
Here is the transcript of Sandy's message, just as he delivered it.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-QY02yk8MrYGiZXtNC6PxBcEpu00lXLD/view?usp=drive_link
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Welcome to podcast 153. Today, it’s a blessing and honor to welcome Thom Rainer. Our subject will be church revitalization, a subject that Dr. Rainer is an expert on…
Thom S. Rainer is an author, researcher, speaker, and former president and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources. Prior to LifeWay, he served at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary for twelve years where he was the founding dean of the Billy Graham School of Missions and Evangelism. He is a 1977 graduate of the University of Alabama and earned his Master of Divinity and Ph.D. degrees from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Thom also serves as the Founder and CEO of Church Answers, a huge and effective resource for training, equipping, and revitalizing churches and ministers.
Thom, thanks for agreeing to be with us today. And welcome!
INTERVIEW
Thom, a while back I read an article you wrote entitled “Three Types of Church Revitalization.” Reading it helped me and our team better understand what we do, and have been doing since 2008.
In that article, you wrote that “Over 300,000 churches in America need significant revitalization.”
What do you think that number today? Is the church on an upswing, or is it continuing to decline?
The article uses the story written in the prophecy of Haggai as a reference point. In a real sense, Israel was in great need of revitalization. Their priorities were messed up!
DR. RAINER'S RESPONSE
In your article, you wrote:
“Like the rebuilding of the temple, there are two foundational issues that must be addressed in church revitalization. First, the church must have the right leaders on board. Second, the behavioral patterns of the church members must change.
“No infusion of methodologies or innovations can take place until these two issues are addressed. Such is the reason most revitalizations fail, and only a few succeed. Let’s look at that reality in light of three approaches.”
I’d love for you to elaborate on these two foundational issues, and on what happened in Haggai’s day.
DR. RAINER'S RESPONSE
It seems to me that unless leaders are honest about their current condition, and are willing to take a deep and honest dive into their own hearts and practices, revitalization will not occur.
So, what are good first steps in church revitalization?
RESOURCES
Thom Rainer has made many, many resources available. Here are just a few…
1.Article cited in this episode: download here: https://us4.campaign-archive.com/?u=e900691004213b8049094abdb&id=edd1c05103&e=ba1b3e8bad
2.Websites:
https://churchanswers.com (Thom Rainer, Founder and CEO)
Includes paid resources: courses, assessment tools, etc., and free resources: blog articles, webinars, etc.
3.Podcasts:
•The Church Answers Podcast
•The Church Answers Podcast
•Rainer On Leadership
•Revitalize & Replant
4.Books:
— Who Moved My Pulpit? Leading Change In The Church
— I Will: Nine Habits of the Outwardly Focused Christian
— Transformational Church: Creating a New Scorecard for Churches
— Breakout Churches: Discover How to Make the Leap
— Surprising Insights from the Unchurched and Proven Ways to Reach Them
— Simple Church: Returning to God’s Process for Making Disciples
— The Post-Quarantine Church: Six Urgent Challenges and Opportunities That Will Determine the Future of Your Congregation
— Becoming A Welcoming Church
— Autopsy of a Deceased Church: 12 Ways to Keep Yours Alive
— I Am A Church Member: Discover the Attitude that Makes the Difference
We appreciate you tuning in with us today. We invite you to subscribe to this podcast through any of the podcast outlets that distribute Strength for Today’s Pastor.
And don’t forget our website: poimenministries.com. You find lots of ways that we can connect with you, the senior or lead pastor, and by the will of God, strengthen you and your ministry to the glory of God.
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In episode 152, Bill Holdridge sits down with pastor Nick Cady of White Fields Community Church in Longmont, Colorado. The topic is the backstory of Nick's book, The God I Won't Believe In.
How would you complete this sentence, “I could never believe in a God who…?”
In 2019, Nick Cady asked the Internet that very question. The responses, along with other research, highlighted nine common themes – topics which people say make it hard for them to embrace Christianity. What began as a nine-week series of messages addressing these barriers, quickly became the most popular, most requested series on Nick's podcasts, church website, radio program, and even on USB drives in the church bookstore. This book is the culmination of those requests, research, and feedback – adapted as a resource to help you, your friends and family through some of the most difficult questions about God and the Bible.
Every pastor knows, we humans are all subject to struggles of various kinds. Even those who already believe in Christ can sometimes struggle with and question things about God, Christianity, and the Bible.
The book aims to help the struggler move from doubt, questions, and unbelief to a strengthened faith and belief in the true God of the Bible. It's also an equipping tool for pastors and congregants, to help the helpers as thy assist friends and family members who struggle with some of these questions.
The interview brings insight into the need for this kind of apologetics.
Topics Nick addresses include:
A God Who Condones Genocide
A God Who Says Some Love Is Wrong
A God Who Lets Bad Things Happen To Good People
A God Who Doesn't Answer My Prayers
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Jack Arnold pastors Calvary Chapel Mt. Si, in North BendWashington.In 2016, the Lord called Jack and family to move to North Bend and become the pastor of Calvary Chapel North Bend, which is now called Calvary Mt. Si. North Bend is only 30 miles from Seattle, a hotbed of far left wing, progressive thinkng. It is not considered a particularly fertile place for the gospel or a place where true believers and new covenant disciples can be made.Yet, the gospel is the power of God unto salvation, and works effectively works in those who believe (1 Thessalonians 5:13). Calvary Mt. Si is a modern day illustration of this power. They are overcoming the darkness by living in the light and shining the light of gospel living in their community. And, it's working.Listen to Pastor Jack as he shares from the perspective of what the Holy Spirit is doing. Be encouraged! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bill-holdridge/support
SFTP Podcast number 150 focuses on how a ministry which is considered a frontlines ministry must first of all, be a healthy ministry. There must be the life of Jesus, the light of Jesus, and also the love of Jesus.
Today I’ll be speaking with Pastor Arnold, who ministers right in the thick of the ongoing cultural and spiritual rebellion against God which is so prevalent in these times in which we live.
Jack pastors Calvary Chapel Mt. Si, in North Bend, Washington. North Bend is only about 30 miles S.E. of Seattle. That part of Washington is known for its strong leftist leanings and politics, and is not typically fertile ground for the gospel.
Yet, the church in Mt. Si is thriving, and even though they've lost approximately 70 families—many of whom have relocated to more conservative, family friendly environs.
How has the Lord led Jack and his leadership team to equip the church to be the church of Jesus Christ?
Hear Jack's story. It's going to encourage and challenge you, that is a certainty.
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Rich Cathers has written a book. He didn't write a book to write a book; he wrote a book that would advance a ministry passion of his ... the discipling of God's people into the Word of God. Helping them make Bible reading, Bible study, and Bible contemplation and application as much a part of their lives as breathing or eating.
So, the book is called Seven for Seven. As you listen to this episode, you'll discover the reason for the title (which all by itself will inspire you).
Rich Cathers has retired from his 25-year pastorate of Calvary Chapel in Fullerton, CA. He planted the church ... and in addition to being a church planter, Rich disciples men, coaches pastors, and advocates for the Bible to be a huge part of every believer's life.
From the Preface to the book: “I’ve laid out the book so that each page gives you the reading assignment for the day, as well as a short devotional article pulled from something in the reading. These articles were written over the twenty-five-year period I pastored Calvary Chapel of Fullerton. They were meant as a weekly encouragement to the church based on this same reading plan.
As you read along with us, you will note that I don’t comment on everything you’ve read. You will notice I may not even comment on what you would think is the most famous or important passage in your reading. My intent is to show you that sometimes even the smallest phrases in the Scripture can come alive and speak to you.”
Pastor, is counseling a burden or a blessing to you?
How is your one on one ministry oriented?
What's your end game? What are you aiming to accomplish with the many hours you spend with people?
Paul LeBoutillier speaks with program host Bill Holdridge about counseling, and the way the Lord has taught him to approach it in his church of almost 30 years.
It promises to be both liberating and encouraging to any pastor.
Podcast number 147 features Pastor Paul LeBoutillier, who recently, and very excitedly, announced that he has written and published his first book.
This podcast is aimed at encouraging pastors who have something to say, to say it in written form!
In this episode, Paul will share with us about how the book came to be, some of the important components of writing a book, and encouragement to do so.
Paul is the founding pastor of Calvary Chapel Ontario, Oregon, which began in December of 1990. He is known as a practical, filled-with-wisdom Bible teacher who is dedicated to teaching the Bible. Paul doesn’t just teach from the Bible, he teaches the Bible itself, working hard to give the people the whole counsel of God contained in the 66 books of the Bible … book by book, chapter by chapter.
Paul was with us twice in the early days of this podcast, in episodes 23 (“What About Pastoral Counseling”) and 27 (“Maintaining Unity Among Church Leadership”). We recommend going back into the SFTP archives and giving them a listen. You'll be strengthened, for sure.
This is a podcast consisting of a message delivered by Pastor Gary Hamrick on June 4, 2023. He has graciously allowed us to replay it, in its entirety, and with the attached link to the sermon transcript.
From Pastor Gary: "...What we are now is a culture in chaos. We are a culture in chaos, rife with gender confusion and sexual perversion, and this so-called woke agenda. And it all needs a Biblical response. I want to begin by making it clear that this is not a sermon, in any way, of hatred or harm. We don't hate anyone, and we certainly don't want anyone to be harmed who might be different or who might believe differently from us as Christians. Despite the fact that our church is listed on a Facebook website where people have been taking shots—it's being investigated now by the attorney general and the sheriff's office because some have been wishing harm for those on that list—that's not us. We're not like that. And no one should interpret anything I say as inciting hatred or harm toward anyone."
This is not a hate sermon, but a truth-in-love sermon.
Here is a link to download the message in written format, which is a word-for-word transcription of Pastor Gary's message.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/174oC0lhb9mBqRKp__8SrWRnh2QPBhFfe/view?usp=sharing
In podcast 146 we’re dealing with a subject that is (or should be) on the heart of every pastor or elder in any church anywhere.
It’s an important, paradigm shifting, vision altering approach to ministry.
Patrick Farrell, senior/lead pastor of Calvary Chapel Wichita, Kansas, talks about the equipping of the saints for ministry, and in particular, preparing younger leaders for the Biblical roles they are being called to fulfill in the church.
Patrick led a major shift in the church he has pastored for 13 years, and it began about 8 years ago.
Patrick authored a three part series on the subject, entitled "Paradigm Shift: Equipping the Next Gen." They are subtitled Article A, Article B, and Article C.
Click on this link to download the entire article (spoiler alert ... this is really good stuff). Here's the link:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KJI49MH4uL3NKR53ZKR-lBfg_ftS5aso/view?usp=sharing
Pastor Jeff Birmingham started River Rocks Church in 2012. But after about five years into the effort, he and his wife Jessica were worn out ... about ready to throw in the towel.
It was then that things started to happen. A new focus emerged, the strategic leadership development began, and improvement was on its way.
An enjoyable season of ministry has been the God-given result. There is now a team, and Jeff is leading relationally, and not just as a boss.
Hear the story in this podcast, and learn some creative ideas for doing things differently.
In this case, different is also Biblical.
Kevin Green is the founding pastor of Calvary Chapel in Fort Bragg, California. He's been serving there for 25 years.
Kevin is passionate about Jesus, the scriptures, about teaching the whole counsel of God, about making disciples, and about the fellowship that he feels very privileged to be part of.
He's also passionate about music.
On that note (pun intended), Kevin has written, performed, and produced an incredible album of 21 songs, one song for each chapter of the gospel of John. Naturally, the album is entitled "Gospel of John."
If you're like me (Bill Holdridge, show host), you're curious about a song's origin, how it was written, and why. We talk about some of that in this episode. Kevin sings all vocals except for the John chapter 4 selection, "The Well" (sung by his daughter Sarah Thurber). He also does almost all the instrumentation. And did we mention, you'll love the eclectic nature of Kevin's music!
But he didn't, by any means, do the album alone. Along with the Helper's help, Kevin was aided by his three daughters, by Calvary Chapel pastors Les Boek and Chris Vanover, and by other wonderful musicians from his family and long list of friends.
The album can be listened to for free at thegospelofjohnproject.com. There one can find the songs, the lyrics, the credits, and other interesting information. This is a serious contribution to the world of scripture to song music that exists out there. I doubt you will have encountered anything quite like it.
_______________________ For Kevin’s teaching: ccfortbragg.com ▪ For The Gospel of John Project: thegospelofjohnproject.com. You can listen for free and also find the lyrics and credits. ▪ To purchase the album, just go to the iTunes store: https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-gospel-of-john/1684762031. ▪ For CDs, contact Kevin at pkinfortbragg@gmail.com.
Bob Claycamp has been there, done that. He's been a church planter, a longtime senior pastor in North Phoenix, a Christian commune Bible teacher, a senior pastor in Exeter, England, a transitional senior pastor, and since 2010, has served with our team of Poimen Ministries pastors.
Bob says, "Sometimes (in searching for leaders) we are looking for a product, and we get a project."
Bob says, "When you're looking to identify leaders, begin by looking within your own fellowship."
In other words, look for the characteristics of a servant-leader in a man, even if they've not been developed yet.
Bob has an eye for leaders. He knows what a true, Biblical leader looks like. He knows how to identify them, coach them up, and help them see their place in the body of Christ.
Bob's contention is that the leaders you need may already be in your church. When the essential qualities in a man are recognized, then it's time to pour in to them, so that they will pour out.
Wise pastors will seek wisdom from wise pastors who have gone before them. Bob's counsel is simple, and it works.
Prayer is God's idea. His great invitation.
Prayer is essential. Prayer is the primary means by which God involves His children in what He wants to do in His world.
Prayer was a primary focus of the best church ever—the apostolic church, as in Acts 2:42.
Yet, way too often our prayer meetings seem boring, are poorly attended, and unexciting ... when they ought to be one of the most exciting times of our lives.
There is no doubt that there is a huge spiritual warfare component that is part of our unwillingness to pray. The enemy of our souls is like being robbed in an alley ... a struggle ensues, and then a knife appears. Suddenly, the battle changes. Whoever controls the knife pushes the narrative. The same is true of prayer, and of our prayer meetings.
Is there anything practically that can be done? Guest show host Tim Brown interviews Bill Holdridge of Poimen Ministries on this intriguing and hopefully helpful subject. Suggestions are made—hopefully helpful—that can may help us transform the prayer culture in our churches.
"Lord, teach us to pray!"
This subject is coming up more and more every day. We at Poimen Ministries are finding ourselves in conversations every week with pastors who are looking to the future, and wondering what they should do now with regard to their own pastoral transition.
The bottom line is this: unless Jesus returns before you've come to the end of your ministry at your present church, someone else will pastor your church.
Therefore, at the very least, every pastor should prepare for someone else to be in the saddle.
Pastor Jimmy Morales asked show host Bill Holdridge if he could interview him with his own list of questions on this topic. The resultant interview is from that discussion.
Jimmy Morales pastors Fervent Church (formerly called Calvary Chapel Lone Mountain) in North Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a strong leader, with a kingdom vision for the ministry the Lord has given him.
This is a very interesting and inspirational testimony ... Tadd and Charity Scheffer tell their story.
Tadd is the founding and senior/lead pastor of Calvary Ellensburg, Washington. Charity, in addition to being a wonderful wife and mother, has an amazing side hustle (i.e. job). You'll have to listen in to find out about it.
In 2009 the Scheffers followed the Lord’s calling in their life to go to Ellensburg with their four children. They have a huge heart for missions and a special heart for Haiti, as they have adopted 2 children from there.
Their desire is to serve the Lord in what ever aspect He leads them.
Even senior/lead pastors need models ... examples ... visuals ... concerning what pastoral ministry is all about. Episode 139 provides encouraging narrative to help with that...
It's an amazing thing to watch how the Lord sovereignly brings two people together and then uses that union for His greater glory.
Such is the case in the lives of Tadd and Charity Scheffer.
Tadd is the senior/lead pastor of Calvary Ellensburg, in Ellensburg, WA. When he and Charity met, she was a Mormon and he was a carnal believer. Yet, the Lord used their relationship to draw both of them to Himself, and the rest is history that is still being written.
Tadd was highlighted in episode 136, which focused on his journey out of Calvinism and into a new freedom in ministry with Calvary Chapel. Part of his and Charity's story was told there.
Alan Stoddard is the author of the Stoke It Up Podcast, and is a former Calvary Chapel Senior/Lead pastor. He is currently prepping for a new church plant in Granbury, Texas.
Alan recently discovered that Bill Holdridge had been a church planter himself back in the day ... so he decided to interview him.
The discussion takes a number of twists and turns ... it's about church planting, pastoral calling, the days of the Jesus Revolution, and other topics in the fast-moving interview that testifies to the faithfulness of God.
Hope you enjoy it.
____________________________
Dr. Alan Stoddard is the co-author of the book Groups that Revitalize, which deals with the subject of sermon based small groups.
Sermon based small groups a powerful ministry opportunity that multiplies the reach of the pulpit. Dr. Alan Stoddard shares some of the ministry philosophy behind sermon based small groups as well as the Biblical precedent and tips and tricks to make the best curriculum questions possible.
You can read Alan's Doctoral thesis here: https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/16328189/teaching-pastors-to-reinforce-expository-preaching-alan-stoddard
Or read his book here: https://www.amazon.com/Groups-that-Revitalize-Bringing-Sermon-Based/dp/1733690387
Alan serves as the Lead Pastor of Calvary Ruidoso, in Ruidoso, New Mexico. He has pastored churches in Texas and New Mexico. He has a real passion for making disciples in small groups. He's married to Jeana and has a daughter, Briana.
Recommended Episodes from The Expositors Collective:
How to Lead an Interactive Bible Study: https://www.expositorscollective.com/podcast/2019/3/12/episode-38-how-to-lead-an-interactive-bible-study
Learning from John the Baptist: https://www.expositorscollective.com/podcast/2021/2/16/learning-from-john-the-baptist-george-scanlan
The Power of Connection: https://www.expositorscollective.com/podcast/2020/9/1/the-power-of-connection-eric-cartier
Pastor Tadd Scheffer (pronounced Skeff'-er) is the senior and founding pastor of Calvary Ellensburg, Washington. Calvary Ellensburg is a growing, solid church based upon a Calvary Chapel style of ministry and the four distinctives of the early church found in Acts 2:42.
Tadd grew up in Lynden, Washington—close to the Canadian border. Lynden is a Dutch town, and as such, is home to numerous Reformed churches. Naturally, Tadd grew up in the tradition of Reformed theology, and came close to being ordained. But then things started to happen in his life. Big things ... things that led to a strong move away from Calvinism and into the grace of God and an entirely new ministry paradigm.
Join show host Bill Holdridge as he interviews pastor Tadd. They discuss Tadd's coming out of Calvinism, the five points of TULIP, and the difference that being part of the Calvary Chapel style of ministry has made in his life and ministry.
This is a good podcast to refer to others, especially those who are being pulled into the direction of Reformed theology.
Of course, questions and comments are welcomed.
Pastor Paul Berry's passion is to “equip the body of Christ with the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the accompanying Spiritual gifts given for the work of the ministry and the flourishing of the church.”
This is also the passion of our Lord Jesus Christ. Of course, Jesus had much to say to His disciples prior to going to the cross, to prepare them for days ahead, and also for life after He ascended into heaven. His preparation included a strong emphasis on the work of the Holy Spirit in (and through) their lives … particularly in John 14-16.
In a recent email thread with other pastors, a question was asked about the ministry of the Spirit in the local church, specifically about believer’s meetings, aka afterglows.
The question was then asked: "why is it that so many churches do not have body life, afterglow kinds of meetings, where gifts like prophecy, words of knowledge and wisdom, healings, tongues with interpretation, will occur?"
Two words became obvious answers to that question: Unbelief. Fear. These twins of discouragement and failure seem to be behind much of the current hesitancy re: the things of the Holy Spirit.
Sit with Pastor Paul as he shares his thoughts on unbelief and/or fear as hindrances to the work of the Holy Spirit being manifest in and through our lives.
Obviously, it’s far easier to focus on what’s wrong than it is to provide hope and direction to do things right.
So, what’s to be done to address the faith issue with regard to the activities of the Holy Spirit in and through the church?
Next, what’s to be done to address the fear issue with regard to the activities of the Holy Spirit in and through the church?
You may have heard this phrase, or even used it in a message: “I’d rather burn out than rust out!”
Let’s be honest, many of us have worn that phrase as a badge of honor, as though it’s an honorable thing to burn out for God.
Today, that phrase is a painful one … far too many of our brothers-in-arms have opted out of ministry (“I’m done, this isn’t what I signed up for!”), or have given up on ministry (due to discouragement or stress), or have been chased out of ministry due to their choices (ethical or moral failure.
A recent Barna Group study found that 38% of pastors are seriously considering leaving full-time ministry.
We see this trend as tragic, and as being part of much greater problems in today’s church. There are the expectations that people put on their pastors — and that pastors put on themselves … these can be debilitating. “Everywhere pastors go they are expected to be ‘on’ — ready to give stellar leadership, unending compassion, an inspiring message, anointed prayer, and words of encouragement.”
Are there only two options? Is burnout in the ministry and in the life of a minister inevitable? And, if I don’t experience burnout, does that mean that I’m rusting out?
The answer is “no.” There are not only two options. There is a third option, which is to learn a life lived under grace, with the right pace, and for the correct race.
In this episode, we’re going to talking about the life-giving counsel of a book we’ve all read … written out of the true story of the author, Wayne Cordeiro. The book is entitled Leading on Empty: Refilling Your Tank and Renewing Your Passion.
Two wonderful pastor-friends-teammates of mine will be helping me in this conversation … Trip Kimball and Terry McNabb. Trip is a long-time pastor-teacher, author, equipper, and discipler; Terry is also a long-time pastor-teacher, musician, and leadership coach. Terry and Trip have both been on our team of Poimen Ministries pastors, for years. You can learn more about them on our ministry website.
to Trip and Terry: "Welcome to the program. I just finished reading Cordeiro’s book. I’ve had it on my bookshelf for a couple of years. I’m so blessed by what Wayne Cordeiro has written. I wish I’d have had (and looked for) a resource like this when I started my ministry back in 1976. It taught me things, reminded me of other things, and motivated my in areas of my own life as well. So, we’re gonna get into it, each of us. And this will explain why we’re recommending reading it."
Acts chapter 19 opens with this narrative: "And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples, he said to them, 'Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?' "
Eventually, these followers of John the Baptist became followers of Jesus Christ, and were miraculously baptized with the Holy Spirit of God.
Charles Finney, in his book Power from On High, wrote:
“In a former article I said that the lack of the Baptism of the Spirit should be deemed a disqualification for a pastor, a deacon or elder, a Sunday School teacher, a professor in a Christian College, and especially a professor in a theological seminary.
"Is this a hard saying? Is this an uncharitable saying? Is it unjust? Is it unreasonable? Is it unscriptural?
"Suppose any one of the Apostles, or those present on that day of Pentecost, had failed through apathy, selfishness, unbelief, indolence, or ignorance to obtain this Baptism with the Holy Spirit, would it have been uncharitable, unjust, unreasonable, or unscriptural, to have accounted him disqualified for the work which Christ has in fact called us all?
"Christ had expressly informed them that without this endowment they could do nothing. He had expressly enjoined them not to attempt it in their own strength.”
So, the earnest, honest question for all who serve our Lord Jesus Christ is the same. Have we received the Holy Spirit? And beyond that, are we walking in His power and fulness? Do we rely upon Him — and upon Him alone — for the qualifications and power to do what only Christ can do through us by the Spirit's power?
Exhortation and encouragement are the two sides of the same spiritual coin. Prepare to be exhorted and encouraged, and may the Lord break out upon us with power, passion, and the pursuit of the highest calling imaginable... to know Christ, and to make Him known.
Paul Berry is the founder of Acts 19 Ministries, as well as a team pastor with Poimen Ministries. Paul pastored Calvary Chapel Santa Maria, CA for over 30 years until stepping aside to pursue the leading of the Holy Spirit in this next chapter of his ministry life.
Websites: www.acts19ministries.faith
https://www.poimenministries.com/index.php/about
Email: paul.berry2@icloud.com
What can be said about The Unconference?
When the concept was first introduced, many senior pastors on the West Coast were intrigued, and the 1st annual had good participation.
But probably no one ever imagined what might happen in a mere 24 hours together with other hungry and desperate-for-God pastors.
In. Credible.
Tune in to hear from three senior pastors who have been there throughout.
Many have prayed for revival, others have prayed for an awakening. Many have prayed for both. One thing is for certain: revival doesn't happen in a vacuum, or in culture of isolation. Revival, if and when it comes, always involves people. Groups of them.
The Unconference.
Poimen Ministries staff pastor Mark Walsh shares his journey of faith throughout different continents of the world in serving the Church ... and the lessons learned along the way. We'll also discuss a new vision that has been birthed for Europe and the U.K. in equipping a new generation of church leadership in these critical regions of the world. Great insights and encouragement await all who listen to this meaningful conversation._______________________________________________________Mark Walsh accepted Christ at age 15 at a Brethren Evangelistic outdoor camp at Bassenfell in the Lake District of England. Since then, he has been involved in ministry.Mark originally comes from the Leeds /Bradford area of England where he served for many years in the Worship & Teaching ministry of Church on the Way, a Calvary Chapel affiliate.In 1998, he left his job as a Legal Liability Specialist with a major UK insurer and moved with his family into full time ministry. He and his family moved to Millstatt, Austria in 1998, to be a part of the Calvary Chapel Bible College, Europe. He served as a pastor on staff responsible for worship, teaching in the Bible College and was responsible for the administration of the facility. He joined CCBCE when it was located in Austria, and was part of the team responsible for the moving the Bible college from Austria to Hungary in 2002.In 2002, Mark served as a Pastor on staff at Vajta, Hungary with responsibilities overseeing worship, teaching in the Bible school and various administrative, including overseeing the internship program and the grounds and maintenance department. For eight years, Mark made frequent trips to the Pacific Rim, with a passion to encourage the saints and helping to raise a ministry school there.In 2009, the Walshes moved to New Zealand where they started Calvary Chapel Bible Institute New Zealand and The Psalm 2:8 Trust. Since 2009, they have been ministering with CCBI across the Pacific Rim and have helped facilitate the planting of three churches in this time, Calvary Hawkes Bay, Hastings NZ, Shoreline Calvary, Mount Maunganui, NZ and Calvary Chapel Nasinu, Suva, Fiji.Mark has been part of the Poimen Ministries team for two years.Currently, the Walshes live in West Yorkshire in the UK, and are active in strengthening pastors in various parts of Western Europe.
There are many examples in the scriptures that highlight the callings of men and women of God.
In this podcast episode, show host Bill Holdridge dives into the calling of the prophet Jeremiah, and makes applications for pastors in our day.
It has never been more important for pastor-teachers to make their ministry calling a certain thing in their hearts and minds.
From that certainty, many very good things result.
Tune in to hear more.
Today, many churches are hindered in their growth and spiritual health due to the lack of training/discipleship of potential leaders.
Bill Holdridge sits down and shares his heart and experience with regard to raising up a vibrant, healthy ministry team made up of consistent, godly leaders.
Your church can impact your town and the world at large from the already existent ranks of your own church congregation.
What you are about to hear is one of the most needed messages for senior/lead pastors who are active in ministry today.
~Pastor Jeff Jones, Podcast Post-Production Editor for Strength for Today's Pastor
Check this out!
Making disciples. It's a primary command of Christ for His church, but is rarely actually done. Most Christians have never been discipled by another believer, and most churches do not have a discipleship focus for new converts.
Alan Stoddard believes that disciple making should be organic, should be reproduceable, and should use the Bible as its sole or primary curriculum. The result of this kind of discipleship is multiplication.
In a six month period of time, if a disciple is active in 80-90% of the sessions, that disciple will be able to do the same for others. Thus, multiplication occurs. This is disciple-making with a purpose.
Too often, discipleship is a top-down process. We begin by bringing in the masses, then hope that some will rise to the level of learning and growing.
See this graph as an illustration: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Q86Dvys-Fhk5TGaqBULpRWe1rXA8HZn2/view?usp=sharing.
To get an idea of what Bible driven discipleship might look like, check out these articles:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VXk4ugEHR6GZGYPvaynrdBxder9dzf1W/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WvmaOdYMVSlrP3vN_pmEEiuki3q5pmYd/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PXXfyznbYJMPPjCrjNX6enkEEYw-twPV/view?usp=sharing
Pastor Alan Stoddard wrote his doctoral thesis for Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary on the subject of sermon based small groups.
That thesis eventually became a book, entitled Groups that Revitalize: Bringing New Life to Your Church through Sermon-Based Small Groups, co-authored with Kenneth Priest.
Alan is passionate about the amazing discipleship opportunities doing sermon based small groups provides for any church ... especially for churches that are committed to expositional Bible teaching.
This podcast presents the case for sermon based groups, as an effective way to kill several birds with one stone. Biblical fellowship can be a result, along with a much deeper dive into Sunday's teaching. This will enliven the Sunday morning pulpit experience, giving it an even greater sense of purpose in the heart of the pastor-teacher.
Alan is also passionate about church revitalization. Sermon based small groups can play a major role in that happening as well.
Pastoral ministry—especially as it pertains to the office of pastor-teacher—can be extremely multi-faceted. For most pastors, there is far more to do than hours in which to do them.
Especially considering the fact that pastors have wives and families.
Especially considering that pastors require get proper rest ... in sleep and sabbath.
Especially considering the need for exercise and good health habits.
But does pastoral ministry have to be as multi-faceted as we've allowed it to become? Do we really need to run in all eight lanes of the race? Or is there one primary lane that we must stay in? What does that look like?
Let's explore this important subject.
The Bible is replete with examples of men and women who were clearly called by the Lord unto something He would work through them to do. Abraham, Moses, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Paul, Timothy, etc. are a few of many such examples.
Calling is one thing.
Living out one's calling is another thing altogether. Samson failed because rather than live out his calling, he repeatedly decided to live life on his own fleshly terms.
If we are to hit the bullseye in life, we must not only know our calling, but use it as the baseline and chief decider concerning how we're going to fulfill it.
Calling provides direction, courage, authority, and leadership direction.
This is why the pastor-teacher must meditate upon his calling into the office of pastor-teacher, and then follow it. The pastor-teacher probably ought to think on these things every day. And then, calculate what he says "yes" to, and what he says "no" to, accordingly.
Podcast 125 is part one of two episodes on this all important subject. We hope it's encouraging to you who shepherd God's people.
Nick Cady's book The God I Won't Believe In: Facing Nine Common Barriers To Embracing Christianity is an amazing apologetics book like no other.
Written in response to on online poll he initiated, The God I Won't Believe Inresponds to the top nine responses to the phrase, "I could never believe in a God who ________________________________."After a sermon series in response to these objections to Christianity, pastor Nick turned it into a book. A well written, simple, and thoroughly sound theological work.
Topics include "I could never believe in a God who Condones Genocide, Says Some Love Is Wrong, and who Doesn't Answer My Prayers.
Join show host Bill Holdridge as Nick unpacks the heart of this book, and highlights key parts of it.
This book is a must read, and has already been super helpful to pastors and leaders in equipping their congregations in solid, basic apologetics totally relevant to the age in which we live.
And for the skeptic or pre-believer, this book will answer questions that have been simmering in their minds for (perhaps) many years.
Nick Cady is the lead pastor of White Fields Community Church in Longmont, Colorado. He spent 10 years as a missionary, pastor, and church planter in Hungary, and holds a Master's degree in Integrative Theology from London School of Theology.
Website: nickcady.org
In this podcast we’re with Doug Eagle of Eagle Retirement Plans, Inc.
John Wesley once famously stated in a sermon entitled “The Use of Money” that believers should “earn all you can, save all you can, and give all you can.”
It’s good to have Doug Eagle with us today to talk about these things, especially geared towards senior pastors. Doug will be bringing hope and encouragement to pastors in the light of a possible retirement from the senior pastorate; hope and encouragement for those who opted out of Social Security years ago and want to know how to move forward with what seems to be a limited income; and hope and encouragement who just want to be better stewards of what God has allowed them to have.
From the Eagle Retirement Plans Website: "Doug is the President and Registered Principal of Eagle Retirement Plans, Inc. He is a Registered Investment Advisor through Crown Capital Securities, L.P. He also holds Series 7, Series 24, Series 63, and Series 65 Securities Licenses, along with a California Life and Health Insurance License.
"For nearly two decades, Doug has built a following of loyal clients who rely on his proven expertise to lower their taxable incomes and build their financial resources. He specializes in using retirement plans as a foundation for financial success. With an in-depth understanding of the varied retirement options available, he has guided individual investors and large companies in creating robust retirement plans for themselves and their employees. Using a conservative financial strategy designed to deliver value over the long-term, Doug has established a proven record of performance."
So stay tuned…
Nate Holdridge is the Lead Pastor of Calvary Monterey (California), a church started 43 years ago by his father, Poimen Ministries Director Bill Holdridge.
In this podcast, Nate interviews his dad on his own podcast, called "Jesus Famous with Nate Holdridge."
In a conversational, father-son style of back and forth, dad and son talk about the history of the church, comparisons between the Jesus Movement of the 60s and today's world, Bill's own calling into ministry, and so on. Lots of subjects, encouraging for the pastoral soul.
Podcast producer Jeff Jones, at the end of the show, predicts that this will be a podcast listened to over and over again.
Lots of lessons from Bill's 27 years with the church, including ventures of faith.
Ron Arbaugh is the senior and founding pastor of Calvary Chapel San Antonio, Texas. Ron is a gracious and wonderful leader, and the Lord has blessed the ministry big-time in San Antonio, and expanded the church's reach amazingly.
Ron was kind enough to invite me to join him on his call in daily (M-F) radio program entitled "Word to Stand On for Life" (https://www.calvarysa.com/radio-1). As he thought might happen, no one called in that day. Apparently (as Ron told me), people don't call in if the convo Ron is having with his guest is interesting!
Anyway, it was an organic, fun conversation about a number of topics which I hope you'll find interesting and edifying.
Listening to Ron, I am always encouraged in the areas of vision and faith. I trust the same will be true for you.
Jimmy Morales pastors a wonderful church body in Las Vegas, Nevada. The name of the fellowship is Calvary Chapel Lone Mountain.
I (show host Bill Holdridge) had the privilege of being with this congregation early in February of 2022. One of the plans we had for my time there was to record a podcast interview with Jimmy ... only in this podcast he would be the one interviewing me. He wanted to hear about pastoral transitions, so he prepared a list of commonly asked (or unasked) questions on that topic. So, that's what we talked about.
Jimmy is not in the process of transition himself, nor is he planning a transition. He's still young, the church is exploding, and he's got a lot of gas left in his ministry tank.
But Jimmy does have a heart for other pastors, and thus, the questions.
When is a good time for a pastor to retire from his church pastorate?
How does a transition process move forward?
What should pastors do now, even those pastors who have years ahead of them in their present church?
Is it better to choose a successor from within the fellowship, or from without?
How involved should church leaders be in helping the pastor transition?
And so on.
Listen in. Pass it on.
As we've said many times before, unless Jesus Christ returns before a pastor dies, someone else will pastor that church. Why not (at the very least) start pastoring as a pastor who is in transition? Why not have an emergency plan in case something happens to you? Why not invite outside counsel to come in and help with your thinking process?
Bob Larson of Calvary Chapel Caldwell, Idaho, doesn't do things the way others expect him to do. He has a clearly defined set of priorities, and he lives them out in family life and in church life.
He also applies (literally) the words of the apostle Paul in Philippians 4:8 ... and in doing so, his thought life has been profoundly affected.
Prepare to hear a different slant on the rhythms of pastoral life and ministry. Is in unbiblical or unspiritual for a pastor to have fun?
This podcast contains tools/concepts that every pastor can use, and tailor make for himself.
Enjoy.
__________________________
Pastor Bob Larson was born in Boise, Idaho. He grew up in a military family and moved around during his childhood, living in Germany and California as a teenager. He eventually moved back to Idaho and gave his life to the Lord. In 1998, with seven other people, Pastor Bob founded Calvary Chapel in Caldwell, Idaho.
He has a passion to teach the truths of scripture in a very real and practical way and therefore provides the congregation with lessons that apply scripture to every day life.
Bob’s vision for Calvary Chapel Caldwell is to preach the gospel and make disciples.
Pastor Bob resides in Caldwell with his wife, Suzie, and their three children, Steve, Dave and Dan.
This has been a long-anticipated episode of Strength for Today's Pastor. We have the blessing of being with Bruce Hebel, author of the incredible, life-changing book entitled Forgiving Forward: Unleashing the Forgiveness Revolution.
In episode 118, Bruce makes the case that God treats us in our relationship with Him as we treat other people, specifically in forgiveness. In fact, this is a major part of the Lord's prayer, and a huge part of the gospel. Forgiveness of others is central to the message of the cross of Christ.
The parable of Matthew 18 (the parable of the unforgiving slave) and its intended meaning is huge re: this discussion. Unforgiving people are under torment as long as they refuse to forgive.
There is also time spent on the subject of the difference between forgiving someone and becoming reconciled to them. Forgiveness of others is mandatory for the true believer; reconciliation is a matter between two individuals, and may or may not happen.
Show host Bill Holdridge has been significantly affected by the teachings of Jesus as taught in Bruce's book. He now considers himself a part of the forgiveness revolution.
Forgiveness of others may be the key to revival, if a wholesale revival is to come. Church congregations will become free with the freedom with which Christ has set us free in His crucifixion and resurrection.
Brian Hill is on the younger side of pastoral ministry, but is much older in wisdom.
Much has been said about the ways the Lord prepares His vessels, men in whom He pours Himself and then flows through them to equip and bless others.
That's the journey of Brian Hill.
This is a cool story, an encouraging bio of a man used by God.
Testimonies are helpful to everyone. Pastoral testimonies are particularly helpful to pastors and leaders. Be encouraged!
In episode 116 we’re joined by Roger Ulman, senior/lead pastor of Calvary Chapel Kalamazoo Valley, Michigan. Roger planted the church in 2000, after an interesting and God-ordained training process. This testimony is included in this interview.
Roger is married to Lisa, his wife of 37 years. They have three children … two boys and a girl. #10 grandchild on the way.
Roger Ulman is a pastor who is genuinely joyful, and very optimistic about ministry and life in general.
Pastors always can use optimism and encouragement … these are very challenging times for pastors everywhere.
So, where does such a positive outlook comes from? This could me a major key re: how we pastors serve the Lord Jesus and His people.
Tune in to hear the not-so-secret secret of Divine Optimism in Pastoral Ministry.
THIS PODCAST is being re-broadcast due to its relevance for today's senior/lead pastors.
Danny Lehmann is a leader in Youth With A Mission (YWAM), an international missions and church planting thrust that has had a tremendous world-wide Kingdom impact. In this podcast, Danny will be talking with us on the subject of vision. Specifically, we’ll be talking about a Biblical pattern for seeing and receiving God’s vision for our lives and ministries.
Danny is keen on the subject of church life as well, having served for many years with Pastor Bill Stonebraker at Calvary Chapel Honolulu.
YWAM has been, from its inception, big on hearing God's voice, obeying His voice, and persevering through the word commanded by that voice. YWAM founder Loren Cunningham has modeled that approach, and YWAMers have sought to emulate his pattern.
Danny Lehmann has written four books on evangelism: Go! The Excitement of Personal Evangelism, For the Gospel’s Sake, Bringin’ Em Back Alive, and Beautiful Feet. He has also written on the subject of spiritual discipline: Before You Hit the Wall, as well as STOKED! Firing Up Your Passion for God. His latest book is entitled The Next Big Thing: How Little Choices Can Make a Big Impact.
Danny lives in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, with his wife Linda and now serves as part of the leadership team for YWAM Kona.
NOTES from Danny's 5 Points about asking for, receiving, and implementing the vision the Lord gives us:
1) The PRAYER FOR THE VISION.
- Nehemiah 1:1-10 … his vision was initiated by God and prayed through by Nehemiah.
- Also Habakkuk 1:2-4; 12-17 … he cried out to God because of the injustice in the land and the LORD’s seeming indifference to it all.
2) THE POSTURE FOR RECEIVING THE VISION. (we must do the possible)
- Habakkuk 2:1 I will stand my watch and set myself on the rampart, and watch to see what He will say to me, and what I will answer when I am corrected.
3) THE PROPHETIC WORD THE DETAILS OF THE VISION.
- Habakkuk 2:2 “Write the vision and make it plain upon tablets that he that reads it may run.”
4) FOR THE PROLIFERATION OF THE VISION.
- The vision must cast so that others may run with it.
- Habakkuk 2:2-3 Then the Lord answered me and said: “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, It will not tarry.
5) PERSEVERANCE TO OBEY THE VISION.
- Often there is a “death of a vision,” so that God’s will and word can be resurrected.
Mandate: "An authoritative commande; especially : a formal order from a superior court or official to an inferior one."
Jesus has given His church a number of mandates. These are all commandments, not suggestions. The only possible responses to a Divine mandate are to obey it or disobey it. Of course, one can obey partially, but that didn't work out too well for king Saul. He was told that his partial obedience was akin to witchcraft. And one can disobey passively, e.g. by pushing the commandment under the rug and ignoring it, pretending that it wasn't issued.
But the commandment to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace is a definite mandate.
The commandment to forgive everyone of everything is also a definite mandate.
In this podcast, pastor Daryl Zachman (Calvary Chapel Treasure Valley, Meridian, Idaho) and show host Bill Holdridge discuss these two mandates, and spell out how they connect to each other.
In these last of the last days, we need to get these things right. So much is riding upon it. Anything short of complete obedience grieves the Holy Spirit of God.
Episode 102 of Strength for Today’s Pastor features Pastor Lance Ralston of Calvary Chapel Oxnard, CA. Our conversation today concerns the ideas contained in a new book by author Rod Dreher … a book that contains a message that could have major impacts upon the ministries of pastors, leaders, and churches. A bit about Lance: he has been married to Lynn Ralston for forty years. They have three children and four grandkids. They began Calvary Chapel Oxnard thirty-eight years ago. The church’s ministry includes a private Christian high school and a 24-hour low-power FM radio station. Lance is the author of the book, Marriage: As It Was Meant To Be. He also authors a popular podcast called “Communio Sanctorum: History of the Christian Church.” (www.sanctorum.us). Are you ready for a radical stance in response to today's darkness and accompanying evils? Then tune in to hear a well-reasoned, Biblical response which will challenge and strengthen pastors everywhere.
Cliff Stabler become a mentor of mine when I was a young church planting pastor serving on the Monterey Peninsula in California. Cliff befriended me, and over time became a huge influence in my life. On a personal note, I am part of a four pastor fellowship and mutual strengthening group which includes Cliff. It's amazing, really.
Cliff's calling is to reproduce Christ-like close followers of Jesus Christ who are steeped in the New Covenant and who depend upon the Holy Spirit for everything.
Within that calling, Cliff's passion is to disciple men.
Former senior/lead pastor, former missionary, and former church consultant, Cliff has a wealth of wisdom and experience from the Holy Spirit's work in his life over his 81+ years.
Cliff shares in this podcast episode some of the things he has practiced and learned in his ministry to men—transferable concepts for any senior/lead pastor.
Cliff (at the urging of two of us in our pastor's group) recently finished a new book. I call it his Magnum Opus. Part auto-biographical, part testimonial, part ministerial, part instructive, part discipleship manual, the book is a treasure trove of wisdom. I wrote a chapter for the book, which you may find interesting.
Here is the link for a free download of the pdf version: The Other Side (by Cliff Stabler).
Hope you enjoy this interview!
This program was originally aired in May of 2019. Since that time, it has become clear to me that there is a generation of pastors who "do not know Joseph," so to speak.
In this case, our Joseph is Dan Finfock of Intensive Care Ministries (icmbible.com). Dan is a world traveling (53 countries and counting) fanatic concerning the IBS method of Observation, Interpretation, and Application. For 45 years Dan has trained pastors and Christian leaders, as well as members of many church congregations in the U.S. and abroad.
IBS is the most Biblical way of studying the Bible ... and should be the Biblical foundation of all Bible teaching and preaching.
This episode will encourage those who are using the inductive method of Bible study already, will inspire those who aren't to learn Dan's simple methodology, and will try to convince today's pastor to reach for the commentaries only after having worked with the text directly thoroughly.
Connections to Intensive Care Ministries for training and materials are in the podcast.
In this podcast episode we will hear from Pastor John Miller, Senior/Lead pastor of Revival Christian Fellowship in Menifee, CA. John will be sharing with us on the subject of Expositional Bible Teaching and Preaching, and specifically, he’ll be presenting the case for Expositional Bible Teaching/Preaching. What is Expositional Teaching and Preaching? Why does it matter whether or not a pastor preaches/teaches expositionally? What is the place and purpose of exegesis in preparing an expositional teaching? How does it contrast with eisegesis? What is the difference between the text governing the sermon and the preacher's own thoughts? What are the reasons that pastors today MUST preach and teach expositionally? Be ready to be challenged and encouraged, pastor. This is for every pastor.
Pastoral transition is real, and unless Jesus Christ returns for His church before a specific pastor dies, someone else will be the pastor of his church! In this podcast, Poimen Ministries Director Bill Holdridge provides fodder for thought for the senior/lead pastor who is considering whether or not to move on to something else. Is the senior pastor certain that it's his time to leave? Does he feel called to be an essential part of the selection of his successor? Will the next pastor come from within the church, or from without? What are the vital parts of any successful transition? These subjects are all discussed in this podcast. Poimen Ministries invites any senior/lead pastor with questions on pastoral transition to reach out to them at strongerpastors@gmail.com.
Pastor Jay McCarl is a longtime senior pastor. He also recently retired from a 30 year ministry as a Law Enforcement Chaplain. Jay has seen it all, and shares with us super effective, Jesus-like ways to provide real help to people in great need due to tragedy or loss. The wisdom Jay possesses is God-given, and comes right from God's Word, empowered and applied by God's Spirit. Jay is also the author of an amazing book on the subject: Answering Evil: Crisis, Compassion and Truth in an Age of Uncertainty. At the end of the podcast, Jay shares how to get a copy. These are tools every pastor can use.
Divided leadership leads to a compromised and ineffective church. All pastors know this to be true.
So how can we surround ourselves with men who aren't "yes men," who can weigh in solidly in the decision making processes of church leadership, and at the same time have men that are loyal and unified with one another.
Pastor Paul LeBoutillier believes that we don't need 100% agreement on everything, but that it's essential to be in 100% unity with each other.
Paul is the longtime senior pastor of Calvary Chapel in Ontario, Oregon. He brings almost 30 years of experience into this great discussion.
Welcome to episode 107 of Strength for Today’s Pastor.
Today we have as our guest Pastor Bob Kopeny of Calvary Chapel East Anaheim, CA.
We’re going to talking about the ingredients of a healthy local church.
Stay tuned, because I promise you … after listening to this podcast interview, you’re going to feel like you’ve just been to your own personal pastor’s conference.
In this podcasts, Bob will be sharing about:
~ What Calvary Chapel East Anaheim is known for
~ A venture of faith ... and how he went from being a police officer to a church planting pastor
~ What happened in their fellowship during the COVID year of 2020
~ A unique and super effective way of discipling the next generation of leaders, while also learning from them
~ A missions strategy that has worked for them, and which is bearing lots of fruit
To learn more about Bob and his fellowship, just head on over to cc-ea.org.
Tim Brown has been in pastoral ministry since 1973, and a senior pastor since 1985. He is widely regarded as a very wise man, full of sage advice and interesting insights on matters of theology and church life.
In episode 019, Tim shares his thoughts on the subject of the pastoral ministry's greatest challenge. His conclusions may surprise you. But they most definitely will challenge and encourage any senior pastor, or anyone in ministry for that matter.
Tim argues that the greatest challenge in ministry is not the need to be pure, but rather the need to remain ____________.
Tune in and see if you agree.
When we (Poimen Ministries) enter into a coaching relationship with a senior/lead pastor, the purpose is to help the pastor discover many of the things he already knows. And then to help him discover how to move forward in his calling and vision.
In this podcast, host Bill Holdridge interviews Pastor Terry McNabb. Terry underwent a coaching process during the course of his own pastoral ministry, and it was not only life and ministry changing, but has also become the foundation of his coaching approach to pastors in this current stage of his ministry.
Five areas of focus are worked through in a coaching relationship: Calling, Vision, Mission, Organization, and Communication.
These five areas of focus will be explained by Pastor Terry in this very helpful episode of Strength for Today's Pastor.
Pastoral coaching has been a relatively new development in the past several years. Pastors, hungry to to their best and eager to find their ministry sweet spot, are more open than ever to have a seasoned 'coach' who can help them rediscover their passion, clarify their vision, and regain some of their strength.
It's even better when the coach is a seasoned pastor himself.
In this podcast, program host Bill Holdridge interviews Pastor Terry McNabb. Terry introduces us to the process of pastoral coaching ... what it is, why it's a healthy thing to do, and what to expect.
Terry is a longtime and seasoned senior pastor who experienced a coaching relationship while in his former church. It was tremendously helpful to him, and set him on a course that greatly enhanced himself and his ministry.
From hippie commune to the business world; from the business world to planting and pastoring a wonderfully fruitful church, from senior pastoral ministry to Poimen Ministries, and then on to the mission field with Poimen Ministries, and now back in the U.S. strengthening pastors and their wives … Bob and Jeanne Claycamp have seen and experienced much.
Listen to their story as they tell of the faithfulness and power of God through willing vessels.
Being used of God … many lessons contained in this couple’s life together. It's a School of Ministry overview.
This episode has been published and can be heard everywhere your podcast is available.
In this episode of SFTP, show host Bill Holdridge speaks with Poimen Ministries servants Phil and Susie Evans, as they tell their story of faith, victories, successes and changes.
This is great encouragement for any pastor, young or old, as Phil and Susie recollect upon 45 years of pastoral ministry. From the early beginnings of church planting to their "golden years", where God is blessing in beautiful and powerful ways. Their story will captivate, comfort and hopefully embolden you to expect great things from God in your own ministry.
The Christian life, when lived by the Holy Spirit, is not boring. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptance. Neither is the ministry of the pastor—and of his wife—boring, dull, or predictable.
In this episode of SFTP, John and Laura Cowan sit down with show host Bill Holdridge and tell their story. It's an exciting one, to be sure, and it's continuing to be exciting as this godly, much loved couple continue serving, loving, trusting, and walking by faith.
The power of testimony is awesome. The power of example is also amazing.
Enjoy.
In Podcast 102 we interviewed Pastor Lance Ralston on the subject of Christians in the U.S., living in an increasingly totalitarian state.
In Podcast 108, Lance shared with us about the place of suffering in the life of faith.
Lance is talking about these things because he desires to equip the fellowship he pastors (CC Oxnard, CA) in preparation for the increasing likelihoodthat there could be some very tough times ahead for Christians in the U.S.
Of course, there are many topics related to an increase in totalitarianism in a given nation … will the shape of the church change? Will believers who decide to disobey the evil directives of the state be ready for the inevitable consequences of that decision?
As we talked, Lance mentioned some of the ways he is helping his church get discipled into being ready to suffer for being a Christian in today’s world. To get the full context of that discussion, you’ll be able to find it in podcast 102.
So, Lance embarked on a study of the theology of suffering, and is currently preaching through a series on the subject.
This podcast deals with the subject, when suffering comes to others.
We need this wise counsel, and even more so as evil days increase, and as evil men continue to deceive and be deceived.
So we’re going to dive right into it right now … so here we go with Pastor Lance Ralston on the subject of When Suffering Comes to Others.
Every church needs to do some healthy, Holy Spirit directed personal inventory. Pastors and leaders need to ask themselves the questions, “Why are we here in this community?” And, “What should we be, and what should we do to make us essential in our community (and beyond)?”
On that subject, today we have with us Pastor Jeff Birmingham of River Rocks Church in Cummins, Georgia.
There’s a statement on River Rocks Church’s website which reads, “We believe that our community doesn’t need another church service…”
Jeff will tell us what is meant by this statement on the church’s website, and about what the Lord has been doing recently in his life and ministry to make much of that happen.
But encouragement and renewed energy in the ministry did not come easy ... there were very painful moments, moments which led Jeff to reach out. The counsel of the Holy Spirit brought freedom and renewed vision in Jeff's life, and it has changed everything. Everything!
Discover some of what Jeff learned (the truth sets us free), and the journey that he's on. It will be a blessing and exciting for any pastor or church leader.
Podcast number 109 of Strength for Today’s Pastor is a conversation with Chris and Heather Reif of Calvary Frontlines in Ft. Smith, Arkansas.
Chris has been the pastor of Calvary Frontlines since October of 2017. Today, we’re going to hear a bit of their story—an unusual story about how they both served in the U.S. Army ... Chris as a Green Beret ... how they met and married, and how they became strong in the Lord, and called into ministry as a couple, with Chris as a senior pastor.
In this episode:
~ how their military background helped prepare them to serve the Lord
~ the importance of discipleship and training—within the church—in becoming prepared for pastoral ministry
~ comparisons between Special Forces commitment and the pastorate
~ the reality of Post Traumatic Stress and how the gospel, the Word, and the Holy Spirit provide healing
~ the testimony of what God has been doing in Ft. Smith, Arkansas!
Blessings to all who listen!
For anyone paying attention, it is obvious that something is going on that is unprecedented in the United States (and also worldwide). "Wokeness," "Cancel Culture," "Critical Race Theory," and of course, the COVID-19 pandemic have been part of massive government overreach and intrusion into all of our lives.
In Podcast 102 we interviewed Pastor Lance Ralston on the subject of Christians in the U.S., living in an increasingly totalitarian state. Lance was talking about the book Live Not By Lies by Rod Dreher, and the subject of suffering as a result of totalitarianism.
As we talked, Lance mentioned some of the ways he is helping his church get discipled into being ready to suffer for being a Christian in today’s world. To get the full context of that discussion, you’ll be able to find it in podcast 102.
In order to prepare for his message series, Lance embarked on a study of the theology of suffering, and his four-part series is the result.
This podcast is Part One of that series.
It’s always fun (and edifying) to talk with Bryan Newberry. Challenge and inspiration are common each time.
For those who do not know Bryan, he is the founding pastor of Calvary Chapel San Diego, CA (1985) … and stepped aside from that role in 2018, handing the senior pastorate over to Phil Metzger. 32 years as their senior pastor.
Bryan is part of the team of Poimen Ministries’ pastors, and also has his own non-profit organization called “Words of Encouragement.’
In addition to serving with Poimen Ministries and Words of Encouragement, Bryan is now the senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Los Alamitos, CA.
Bullet Points for Discussion:
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How has the transition of CC San Diego gone? The new pastor (Phil Metzger) and you are friends, but very different re: ministry styles. What can pastors learn from the situation there?
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What has been your approach in taking over for John Greenroyd of CC Los Alamitos in July of 2020? How is it going?
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Before you stepped aside in San Diego, you experienced a major trial that was written about in the Calvary Chapel Magazine.
Subtitle: “Two Christian Leaders Share Their Harrowing Experiences with Prescription Addiction.” Bryan, you were one of those leaders. What did you go through, and what did you learn?
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How would you describe your passion in life/ministry?
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I know you love to be available to mentor younger men. Who have been your mentors (major influences) in life/ministry? In what ways did they influence you?
Welcome to podcast number 105. Once again, today we have Bible teacher, author, and speaker Gayle Erwin with us, and our topic is Not Many Mighty, a discussion about the ways of God and the choices God makes in calling and using human beings.
Gayle Erwin has beautifully addressed what this looks like in his book Not Many Mighty.
God's Word says, “For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called” (1 Corinthians 1:26). Obviously, God thinks about things differently, and thinks about people differently than we do, in the natural.
It is clear from Scripture that God doesn’t use perfect people. If that was His criterion, no one would ever be used of God.
But God uses imperfect people to contain and then release His marvelous life and light to others. It's His plan, and it fulfills His purpose for connection and relationship with human beings.
"For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us." (2 Corinthians 4:6,7)
Topics discussed: strength out of weakness; Paul's thorn in the flesh; outstanding Biblical examples of weak men mightily used of God; what does it look like for us be be 'anointed,' or to minister 'under the anointing'?; a liberating thought with regard to ministry and our response to God's grace.
Gayle Erwin is the author of the bestselling book The Jesus Style, which explores the nature of Jesus. Not Many Mighty was written in that same vein.
Pastor David Rosales has been serving Christ's bride for many years, with almost 50 years of ministry behind him. Yet, because he has remained faithful to the foundations of ministry, and to the Word of God, his ministry is as fresh as ever.
Listen in as show host Bill Holdridge asks David about some of those key elements of a Biblical pastoral ministry.
Included as part of the discussion:
~ What comparisons/contrasts do you draw between the era of the 60s and our current times?
~ Many have been praying for another revival to come. Can there be another revival in today’s world, as there was 50 years ago? If so, what conditions must be met for that to happen?
~ What troubles you about what young people are going through today, and how can they be reached?
~ What major threats or challenges are there to the church and against believers today?
~ If you had a group of 100 senior pastors in front of you right now, what would be the top three areas of encouragement you’d like to share with them?
~ In these unprecedented days in which we’re living, what are your thoughts on the essential, non-negotiables of ministry that must exist for a healthy, Biblically sound church?
Enjoy!
Ken Graves tells it like it is. When one speaks with Ken Graves, he/she enters into the no fear zone, as it relates to the truth. But as is true with Jesus, grace is sweetly mixed with truth, and the result is an encouraged heart. In podcast #104, Ken tells the story of the fellowship he pastors in Bangor, Maine—and their battles with the powers that be in their state. Points of discussion: Has their been government overreach in in the handling of COVID-19? If government limits its citizens by depriving them of their constitutional rights, is the government breaking the law? What does Romans 13 mean in our present day? How might pastors respond to this current situation in their states, whether red or blue? Ken is articulate, well-studied, and passionate. You won't want to miss this one.
Mark Gomez has pastored three churches in his years of pastoral ministry, totaling more than 35 years as a senior/lead pastor or church planter.
Mark came to Christ as a result of an intellectual conflict with one of his high school teachers... it's an interesting story.
He has lived in Utah for 25+ years, which is where he served in his last pastorate. His pastorate was a very fruitful one, one that was effective in reaching members of the LDS church.
Now Mark is moving into a huge and much needed arena of ministry, as he continues within his calling as a pastor-teacher.
Be blessed and strengthened as you listen...
Sometimes it's surprising ... if not always surprising ... to see who God wants to use. Identifying those whom God has called, and brought into our churches, is a very, very large part of the fruit that comes out of any ministry. So why don't pastors spend more time developing leaders? Are there ways to overcome our negligence, or apprehensions, or inexperience? Host Bill Holdridge will talk with Pastor Bob Claycamp on this all important topic in this podcast. Learned from a seasoned pastor who is known by many as a developer of leaders who lead others.
Literally nothing that lasts happens without leadership—good leadership—by men and women who are both biblical and Spirit led. Organizations and churches depend upon it. Yet sadly, there oftentimes seems to be a dearth of willing leaders within our churches ... at least not as many as there should be. Pastor Bob Claycamp is a seasoned pastor (40+ years) who is also a pastor of pastors. Bob has made it part of his life's mission to develop leaders. Join host Bill Holdridge and Pastor Bob as they dive into this all important topic. Be encouraged as Bob shares some of the major lessons he's learned over the years, and be refreshed in your calling to develop leaders within your own church.
Again, Bill Holdridge picks the brain of Pastor Phil Evans on the subject of church assessments.
Phil came out of a business background and into the pastorate about 40 years ago, and uses the organizational mind that God has given him, a great sense of humor, and a calm spirit to help many pastors. He's become sort of an assessment guru with Poimen Ministries.
Give a listen to this podcast if you're interested in having a fresh set of eyes, a non-threatening and encouraging set of eyes, a confidential set of eyes—upon you and/or your ministry.
This show highlights some of what was talked about in Part one of this series, and then goes into a bit more detail on what it looks like to have an assessment done at your church.
Thanks for listening.
A fresh set of eyes.
Face it, we get used to our surroundings—and as pastors, we can become unaware of things we would have noticed X number of years ago. We can sometimes use a fresh set of eyes.
In this podcast, Poimen Ministries Director Bill Holdridge talks with Pastor Phil Evans. Phil is excellent at doing church assessments, and has helped many senior pastors with a better and more clear look at their ministries.
In part one, we will discuss what a church assessment is, and what it is not.
Spoiler alert: it's a very encouraging and strengthening process. It's a process to welcome, and not one to fear.
Proverbs 1:5 provides a scriptural reason for having an assessment done.
A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel...
We promise you: it will be well worth it.
This is the third of three podcast interviews with Pastor Al James on the subject of excellence in ministry. If you want to do ministry right, listen to this series.
Al is a long time member of the Poimen Ministries team and the founding pastor of Calvary Chapel in Prescott, Arizona (30 years).How can the senior or lead pastor connect with the people in his church? How should he conduct himself, and what are some great ways to reach the people that are attending the church? Of course, this is vital if the Great Commission will be fulfilled.
Bill Holdridge, host of Strength for Today's Pastor, interviews Pastor Al James in this very important session on the role of the senior/lead pastor.
This is the second of three podcast interviews with Pastor Al James on the subject of excellence in ministry.
Al is a long time member of the Poimen Ministries team and the founding pastor of Calvary Chapel in Prescott, Arizona (30 years).A fresh set of eyes. That's what we often need as we try to evaluate what we pastors do, week in and week out.
What does the visitor to your church see when he or she attends? What areas are typical of areas that can be tweaked to make it even better? How can the church service itself better serve the people to help them become equipped for ministry and better disciples?
Host Bill Holdridge once again interviews Pastor Al James, founding pastor of Calvary Chapel Prescott, AZ.
Tune in to begin seeing your church through a fresh set of eyes.
This is the first of three podcast interviews with Pastor Al James, a long time member of the Poimen Ministries team and the founding pastor of Calvary Chapel in Prescott, Arizona (30 years).
Foundational to all true pastoral ministry is the pastor's communion and union with God. Jesus pastored this way as the Good Shepherd (Pastor), and so should the senior or lead pastor of the church. Discover new inspiration for your ministry in this episode. Very practical and timely.
Episode number 100- a real milestone in the ministry of this podcast, but also of over 12 years of ministry as a team of pastors.
In this program, the roles are reversed as post production editor Jeff Jones interviews Poimen Ministries director Bill Holdridge.
Listen in as Jeff asks Bill about:
- the origin of Poimen Ministries
- some of his personal habits and his life in Christ
- about the team of pastors
- about the why and how of choosing podcast interviewees
It's an interesting, and hopefully edifying discussion. Hope you can join us!
Not lord it over others … Leadership by example … Humble … As a child … As the younger … Least … Last … No force … No selfish ambition … No reputation … Human … Obedient … Death on the Cross … Resurrection.
These are characteristics of Jesus Christ that all true believers can mimic and live out, by the power of the Holy Spirit.
They are also characteristics of the minister of Jesus Christ, if ministry is to be done Jesus-style.
Author, preacher, Bible teacher, and long-time pastor Gayle Erwin helps us with some of the nuts and bolts of following in the steps of our Great Pastor (The Jesus Style, The Father Style, The Spirit Style, Not Many Mighty, The Body Style, Handbook for Servants).
- Pastoring with an others-centered style of leadership
- Learning how to understand the place of Humor, Anger, Authority, Freedom, Forgiveness, Worship, Fear, and Feelings in ministry
- Discover how Jesus dealt with manipulative people, and how to avoid these pitfalls
- See why it's not really necessary to 'defend' Jesus, at least not in the ways we might think
It's a mini school of ministry to have a convo with Gayle Erwin. Hope you can join us for episode 99 of Strength for Today's Pastor.
For those of you who don’t know Gayle Erwin, Gayle is a long-time pastor, author, conference speaker, and as far as ministry is concerned, he is all about playing the one string he has on his guitar, which is the nature of Jesus. He’s all-in with regard to helping others understand who Jesus is and what that means as His servants.
Today we’re going to be focusing on aspects of Gayle’s book The Body Style.
How does the nature of Jesus connect with the developing of our churches, and the shape of the church?
Questions and discussion include:
- What influenced or motivated you to write The Body Style?
- What had you seen that caused you disillusionment concerning the Church?
- How did Jesus’ words, “I will build My Church” give you hope and freedom?
- Maybe you could comment briefly on the styles of organization churches use, and then focus mainly on the system Jesus used… very stimulating ideas!
Gayle Erwin has a lot to say, through a grid that will resonate with lovers of Jesus, with lovers of the grace of God, and with lovers of the truth.
Does anybody even practice what we call church discipline anymore?
And if a church does practice church discipline, why do they do it? How do they do it? What is its purpose?
Show host and Poimen Ministries Director Bill Holdridge draws from the scriptures, coupled with his experience in pastoral ministry, to make suggestions to pastors about the whys and how's of church disciple. For instance, Bill calls us these principles in mind:
- Church discipline is closely related to Christian discipleship.
- If the church discipline process requires separation from the body, the goal of the excommunication is restoration.
- Church discipline is actually an application of Divine chastening.
To be a Great Commission church, the church must exercise church discipline with its many forms and applications. To be a holy church, the church must practice church disciple. To develop mature believers, the church must trust Jesus to assist Him as He perfects His people. One tool He uses is church discipline. This podcast is aimed at helping pastors and churches do this better, with grace and truth applied at the same time.
BULLET POINT #1- Church discipline is closely related to Christian discipleship.
Discipline and discipleship are part of the same idea. Discipleship could also be called preventative church discipline. When congregants are discipled, they are not candidates for church discipline. A person who is in the Word, in prayer, in fellowship, who exercises his/her spiritual gifts for others’ sake, who is involved in the Great Commission, who is accountable, etc. has made himself immune to the need for corrective church discipline.
BULLET POINT #2- Church discipline is actually an application of Divine chastening. (Hebrews 12:6-8)
BULLET POINT #3- Matthew 18:15-18 has to do with interpersonal conflicts. Against you is not found in Codex Vaticanus, Codex Sinaiticus do not contain these words, but the Majority text does. (https://credohouse.org/blog/textual-problem-study-matthew-1815)
BULLET POINT #4- The number of people who are made aware of the discipline is determined by the number of people who know the ones being disciplined.
BULLET POINT #5- If the church discipline process requires separation from the body, the goal of the excommunication is restoration. Restoration to God, first. Then to other believers, second. (Galatians 6:1)
BULLET POINT #6- Authority to exercise church disciple comes directly from the Lord Jesus Christ. (Matthew 28:18-20)
BULLET POINT #7- Conditions must be clear for the disciplined person’s return into full fellowship.
BULLET POINT #8- The church governing documents (Bylaws) and board minutes must be consistent with the Bible’s teaching on church discipline, and internally consistent with BOD minutes or elder’s meeting minutes.
BULLET POINT #9- Effective church discipline requires a deep team of leaders that are all-in, and who understand how church discipline should be practiced, Biblically.
What is the purpose of the gift of tongues? What is its most common use? How is it exercised in a corporate setting "decently and in order'?
What is the baptism with the Holy Spirit? What is the main evidence of being filled (baptized) with the Holy Spirit?
These questions have clear Biblical and practical answers, and Gayle Erwin will help us find out what those answers are.
Gayle Erwin is a longtime pastor, Bible teacher, conference speaker, and author. His books included The Jesus Style, The Father Style, The Spirit Style, and The Body Style.
It's always a blessing to hear from Gayle ... his unique story telling ability, his years of experience, his sense of humor, and his love for Jesus and His grace all combine to make each encounter with him a rich experience.
Gayle Erwin is an international treasure, a man who has allowed the Lord to use his life for many years as an author, pastor, lecturer, professor, and conference speaker.
Gayle has (as he puts it) "one string on his guitar," and that string is Jesus and His nature.
This podcast is on that subject. How does the nature of Jesus effect the way we live as pastors, and how we shepherd the flocks the Lord has committed to our charge?
In Gayle's classic book The Jesus Style, Gayle goes into great detail to show that the nature of Jesus is understood from these descriptions embedded in the teachings of Scripture:
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Jesus came as a Servant (not to be served)
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Jesus did not Lord It over others...
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Jesus came as an Example
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Jesus was Humble
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Jesus came as a Child
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Jesus came as the Younger
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Jesus was Last
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Jesus was Least
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Jesus used No Force
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Jesus possessed No Blind or Selfish Ambition
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Jesus made Himself of No Reputation
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Jesus was fully Human
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Jesus was wholly Obedient
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Jesus was obedient unto Death
Hopefully, this podcast will inspire pastors and leaders to undergo a new and fresh study of Jesus, that we might all make the Main One the main thing.
In Gayle's own words, in the preface to the book, he writes: "This is the Jesus I want to talk about, the Jesus who called himself a servant. For reasons I cannot understand, I have not, in my research, found the qualities of servanthood, which seem so self-evident and basic to who Jesus is, treated in any but a surface and brief way. I only know that the realization of them and even minimal incorporation of them into life has power that I cannot describe; I can only invite you."
“You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:42–45)
Spoiler Alert: this is much more than a dialogue on church polity. It has to do more with the way a pastor leads, the way he works with his fellow leaders. This stuff is GOLDEN!
When Pastor David Guzik was pastoring in Simi Valley, CA, he delivered a message on the subject of church government. In that message, he acknowledged the three major forms of church government and then argued for the validity of a pastor led form of church government. The message was entitled "Church Government: Jesus Style and Moses Style." It's available in audio format here: https://enduringword.com/media/church-government-jesus-style-and-moses-style/.
In this podcast, David discusses with show host Bill Holdridge the subject of pastoral leadership some of the challenges and necessities of leading well.
Warren Wiersbe served the Lord Jesus well ... and his impact upon the body of Christ, and upon pastor-teachers, is incalculable.
Join host Bill Holdridge as he is joined by Pastors David Guzik (https://enduringword.com) and Jeff Jones as they share about the legacy of this faithful steward of God's Word. This interview took place very shortly after Wiersbe's entrance into heaven (Warren Wiersbe: 5/16/29-5/2/2019).
Jeff shares about his personal meeting with WW and a great takeaway that Warren dropped on him in answer to one of Jeff's questions.
David shares about Warren's Biblical and ministry contribution to the kingdom of God.
This podcast will confirm the pastor's calling, and motivate him to pursue the best that God has appointed him for.
Though Warren Wiersbe is in heaven, his writings and his life still speak.
Pastors of churches of less than 200 people? Did you know that the church you pastor is a 'normal' sized church? Did you know that the normal sized church is called that because it's the normative sized church, world-wide? Are you discouraged because your church hasn't become a medium, large, or mega sized church?
Karl Vaters is a current voice, speaking wisely to pastors of small (aka "normal") churches. Since a very, very large percentage of churches fall into this category, it stands to reason that the pastors of such churches are normal pastors. It's not at all unusual to be a normal pastor of a normal sized church.
The challenge is to be the best kind of church that Jesus can make the church to be. And the best kind of pastor.
Karl Vaters has helped the cause of the kingdom of God greatly with his three books: The Grasshopper Myth: Big Churches, Small Churches and the Small Thinking that Divides Us, Small Church Essentials: Field-Tested Principles for Leading a Healthy Congregation of Under 250, and 100 Days to a Healthier Church: A Step-By-Step Guide for Pastors and Leadership Teams.
Show host Bill Holdridge interviews Karl, with a helpful focus for pastors re: how to navigate the current Covid-19 crisis and beyond.
In an Eastern Utah community which is 70% LDS, the Lord has visited Ashley Valley Calvary Chapel with a harvest of souls ... with the effect that a large percentage of their church body is made up of those converted to Christ out of Mormonism.
It's a compelling story, and its lessons are transferable to any church and any pastor anywhere in the world.
When show host Bill Holdridge met Phil Daggett in May of 2020, he asked him a question: “What is the common denominator in the conversions of LDS people, if there is one?” He answered immediately with a one sentence response.
Phil's one sentence response is the heart of this podcast interview.
Tune in to get edified and strengthened in your serve!
John Gundacker is the senior/lead pastor of Calvary Chapel in Pahrump, NV, and has been for 20 years.
Pahrump is a little more than an hour from Las Vegas, obviously a huge city. The church John was trained in was in Las Vegas. So when his family moved to tiny Pahrump to start a church, expectations had to change. In the process, John has learned contentment, which is a huge key in any ministry.
As we'll see in this podcast episode, contentment produces its own kind of fruit ... makes it easier to wait for the Lord, it provides peace and focus upon the right things.
Listen in as John tells part of his and his church's story.
Steve Sager is a seasoned and balanced pastor with a long history and varied history with Calvary Chapels — in many places and for different seasons. During much of his pastoral ministry, Steve has been bi-vocational.
He was with the first Calvary Chapel ministry in Napa, CA which produced a shocking number of pastors who went out from there to plant other churches (Joseph Prudhomme, Frank Ippolito, Jay McCarl, Lee Shaw, Damian Kyle, Larry Anderson to mention a few).
Steve has served as an assistant pastor, an elder, a worship leader, and as a senior/lead pastor. His passion is the ministry of the Word of God.
With all his experiences and history, Steve offers a unique and encouraging perspective on pastoral ministry. Be refreshed.
Gayle Erwin is well known in many Christian circles, around the world (he's in the 3,000,000 category of frequent flier miles).
As he likes to say, he has only one string on his guitar ... and that string is the nature of Jesus Christ.
Author of The Jesus Style, The Father Style, The Spirit Style, The Body Style, Handbook for Servants, That Reminds Me of a Story, That Reminds Me of Another Story, and Not Many Mighty, Gayle's teachings have inspired many to learn about what God is like, and about what it means to be His servant.
In this podcast, Gayle speaks with show host Bill Holdridge on the subject of the senior pastor's ministry, and how it relates to the way Jesus leads and serves His church ... over which He is the Chief Pastor.
This is food for much thought for any pastor, anywhere.
Matt Valencia has a huge heart for God’s Kingdom, and a sincere love for the greater Body of Christ.
Recently, Matt was asked to lead a discussion on the topic of this podcast. This interview dives into the meat of that discussion, and why it matters.
Matt Valencia is the Lead Pastor of the Regeneration Church of Scotts Valley, CA and is also the founding pastor of Calvary Chapel in Gilroy, CA.
Daryl Zachman is one of a number of pastoral friends that I gained while living in Idaho. This podcast was recorded in Boise, because Daryl invited Poimen Ministries to come and do a church assessment, as well as share at a ministry conference hosted at their church.
Daryl and his wife Cindy were directed by the Holy Spirit to launch out to Boise in 1994. So they started as pioneers, as is true of so many of the pastors in our fellowship of churches.
The Holy Spirit has used Daryl and Cindy ... and their leadership ... to develop a culture of openness, hospitality, warmth, and love in their fellowship. Podcast number 90 explores some of those dynamics with Pastor Daryl.
In this podcast episode, Pastor John Milhouse of Calvary Chapel Moreno Valley, CA talks about his current church transition process.
John has been in ministry as a senior pastor for more than 38 years. He speaks with careful wisdom, and with the voice of experience and grace.
In addition, John comments on a message he delivered at the recent Calvary Chapel Deep South Pastor's and Leader's Conference in Stone Mountain, GA. The title of the very timely message John delivered that day is "Our Times Are In His Hands."
Taken from Psalm 31:14-15, it's a quotation from king David: “But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD; I say ‘You are my God.’ My times are in Your hand.”
Hear how this passage relates to the need for ministry flexibility, to a pastor's leadership within the context of COVID-19, and to the person and work of the Holy Spirit.
Bryan Newberry is like a leadership guru. Plus, he's a discipleship guy as well. The combination of those two traits has been beneficial to many pastors and future pastors during his very long ministry.
Bryan was the founding pastor of Calvary Chapel San Diego, where he served for 32 years with his wife Cheryl. Currently, Bryan serves as the (new) senior pastor of Calvary Chapel in Los Alamitos, as well as with Poimen Ministries.
Bryan’s teachings are available at bryannewberry.org. His email address is bryanccsd@gmail.com. Feel free to email him with comments or questions.
Hall of Fame catcher Yogi Berra once said, "You can observe a lot just by watching." When speaking with Pastor Bryan Newberry, one can learn a lot just by listening.
Bryan is a great resource for pastors and church leaders. His thing is discipleship, and that's what he does. He mentors and disciples believers, and in his role with Poimen Ministries, he mentors and disciples pastors.
Join us in this episode in which Bryan discusses his new pastoral assignment, pastoral leadership, the importance of delegation as a leader, and more.
Pastor Tim Brown of Calvary Chapel in Fremont, CA has written extensively to his congregation and to the greater body of Christ ... particularly during this COVID-19 season.
In one of his recent blogs, Tim made a strong, logical, and Biblical case for civil disobedience, as it has been exercised since apostolic days in the church. In his writing, he makes a very clear distinction between civil disobedience and outright rebellion against governing authorities.
This episode will prove to be of great help to any pastor who is seeking help in knowing how to guide his particular fellowship.
In this podcast episode we’ll be talking with a brother in Christ, who is a blogger and a committed follower of Jesus, on something that is strengthening me, and I think will strengthen many pastors … and also their congregations. It’s a word from the Lord about how we should then live, in the light of our current global and local situations.
His pseudonym is "Blogger Jeremy," the anonymity being for security reasons.
KEY CONVERSATION POINTS
~ It is clear we are at war and that 2020 will be remembered as the year in which a fierce spiritual attack was unleashed upon us, upon the church of Jesus Christ world-wide.
~ This declaration of war by the enemy leaves us with no choice but to sound the alarm before our king and to enter the battlefield.
~ Synopsis of the enemy's objectives:
Victory. Objectives. Enemies. Surprise. Vengeance. Role. Expectations. Identity.
~ Begin the battle from the position of Victory.
~ Rely upon the elements of surprise as we fight the battle.
~ What is expected of us, as enlisted soldiers in the army of God?
Blog Post from which this interview is derived: https://a-ready-pen.blogspot.com/2020/09/this-is-war-september-2020.html
In episode 84 of Strength for Today's Pastor we’re going to hear from Pastor Sandy Adams of Calvary Chapel Stone Mountain, Georgia.
A couple of weeks ago, show host Bill Holdridge had the privilege of attending the Calvary Chapel Deep South Pastor’s Conference at the church Sandy has pastored for almost 40 years.
Sandy preached a message on Monday night on the subject of “Race in America.” As anyone who is familiar with Sandy’s ministry would expect, the message was factual, historical, Biblical, soundly theological, and profoundly applicational.
Therefore, we decided to devote this podcast to playing the message in its entirety.
So let’s get into it … and hear from God’s Word and from the Holy Spirit in a message entitled “Race in America” from Micah 6:6-8.
Here is a conversation with Cliff Stabler, a mentor and friend of show host Bill Holdridge for 40 years. Cliff introduced Bill to an amazing men's discipleship experience called "Barnabas," and to book Authentic Christianity by Ray Stedman. But most importantly, Cliff further introduced Bill to the life of the New Covenant.
Cliff is a longtime pastor, a former missionary, and a discipler of men. Cliff was with us for episode 24 ... talking about reaching men, one of his passions in ministry. Part of Cliff's legacy is a list of many men who have gone on to live out their Christian lives in kingdom related ways all over the world.
To be discussed in this podcast:
What is the New Covenant, as you describe it?
What did Ray Stedman teach you about the New Covenant? What led up to your discovery of the New Covenant life?
What does the New Covenant life look like in marriage? In ministry? In relationship with the Holy Spirit?
Paul Berry assumed the senior pastor role at Calvary Chapel Santa Maria, CA in 1992. When he started, there were 50-60 people in attendance, but there was a e mere skeleton of a leadership team.
Therefore in the very first months of his pastorate, Paul dug in and began raising up men who would serve the Lord, His church, and their families in the way Christ called them to.
In this podcast, Paul will share with us what they did, how they did it, and why they did it.
Also, resources are available for Paul’s SOM curriculum.
He argues that men need to be given responsibility and authority, and the opportunity to truly lead and minister within the church and community.
This is a must listen for those wanting encouragement and help in the area of developing Biblical leadership in the church.
Today we’ll be talking with Ed Taylor of Calvary Aurora, Colorado on the subject of leadership … Biblical leadership in the role of senior/lead pastor.
I’m sure most, if not all of our listeners know of Ed Taylor … he’s the senior/lead pastor of Calvary Church in Aurora, CO. He was saved at Calvary Chapel Downey, grew in the Word and in ministry there for 8 years, and then in 1999 moved to the Denver area with a desire to plant a church. In December of 1999 Calvary Church held its first service, and has been growing deep and wide ever since. Ed is the author of the book Ordinary Servant, the host of the Lead2Serve Podcast, and the Bible Teacher of the national radio broadcast “Abounding Grace.”
In this podcast, Ed will be sharing about:
- What is Biblical leadership?
- What does it mean to lead as a senior/lead pastor?
- How does leading a church differ from leading in the corporate world, or in a business?
- What is the biggest leadership lesson you've learned in your years of ministry?
- What is the number one leadership challenge senior/lead pastors are facing today?
- What's the number one thing that pastors can do, that maybe they're not doing so well right now?
Join us for this excellent discussion!
Do you want to discover or maybe even reignite the small groups ministry of your church?
Troy Drake is the founding pastor of Calvary Chapel Meridian, Idaho, having served as its pastor since 2009, and has led their church into this important area of discipleship ministry.
Here's a quote from the church website:
"Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, so continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved." (Acts 2:46-47)
"The early disciples understood that togetherness is essential for the growth of each person and the church itself by being in close community with other believers. The Christian life is way better in community! And yet, this is the one area that is often lacking in the lives of Christians.
"We must intentionally 'do life' together. Rather than just hoping that it will happen, we have chosen to set up a purposeful way for the people in our fellowship to engage with each other. We call them House2House Groups.
"What can you expect at an H2H Group? Each group has a meal together, they discuss & apply Sunday’s sermon, and support each other in prayer and practical ways as they seek to join in God’s mission."
So tune in, and get some fresh ideas that may trigger fresh vision that will help your fellowship do the one anothers of the New Testament.
This conversation between host Bill Holdridge and Ron Arbaugh is all about the venture of faith he’s been on for the last 25+ years of ministry in the Lone Star State.
Pastor Ron is the founding pastor of CC San Antonio, the 2nd largest city in Texas. The Lord has used Ron and his fellowship in many marvelous ways. Dramatic testimony. Overcoming an impairment. Trusting the Lord for the huge things He wanted to do. Living scared, but trusting in the provision and guidance of God. Consistent, faithful development of pastoral level leaders. The list goes on.
It's the grace of God, and Ron is the first to tell you that. Super encouraging stuff!
Today we’ll be talking with Dan Davis of Calvary Chapel Mountain Home, Idaho, on the subject of ministering in a community with a shifting population.
Many pastors have felt this tension … they build on a foundation of the gospel, the vision of the Great Commission, and the ministry of the Word of God, and PEOPLE. The wise pastor invests in people, people that we assume will be with us for a while, and then, bam, they’re gone.
Dan Davis pastors in Mountain Home, Idaho, a community with a shifting population. Mountain Home is about 45 miles east of Boise. During his years of ministry in Mountain Home, the Lord has enabled Dan and his wife Kim to lead such a congregation, and lead it well.
This podcast has much to do with pastoral leadership, and is very encouraging. Be blessed!
Pastor John Pillivant started Calvary Chapel Bartlett, TN back in 1995. Bartlett is a city that is just minutes away from Memphis, the same place where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated.
As a pastor, John had to quickly discover how to minister in his part of the country, and has learned much by being humble, asking questions, and being committed to the kingdom of God first.
You are invited to join this podcast discussion. We pray that it may be of great help to you in your ministry.
Our program today is with Pastor Rod Carver, senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Coastlands in Corpus Christi, TX.
We’re going to hear from Rod on the subject of identity. Obviously, today there is a lot of pressure on people to self-identify. It's become a thing, and rather suddenly. We are pressured to self-identify with regards to sexual orientation, ethnicity, skin color, political affiliation, and on and on.
But what does that look like for true Christians? What is the identity of the believer in Christ, and how can we pastors help our fellowships understand who they are, and the confession they should be making?
Rod Carver moved to South Texas in 1997 and in just a few months, the group began meeting as Calvary Chapel of the Coastlands. He and his wife Noreen have seen a wonderful work of God's Spirit over the years.
This podcast originated from a blog Pastor Rod did recently. Here's that URL: https://christiansengaged.org/blog/identity-in-christ.
John Miller is the Senior/Lead pastor of Revival Christian Fellowship in Menifee, CA.
In this podcast episode, John will be sharing with us on the subject of the method of expositional Bible teaching and preaching, building upon last week’s episode when he made the case for expositional Bible teaching/preaching (Podcast #74).
John is not only a fine Bible expositor, he is also passionate about helping current pastors who share his passion for the Word of God.
These are tools. Senior pastors who take seriously the charge to feed the flock and preach the Word will love this two part series.
Reference will be made to the Nuts and Bolts Conferences in recent years, conferences aimed at strengthening us pastors in our calling and ministry of the Word of God.
Pastor Jerel Hagerman is very wise with regard to training and releasing future pastors and leaders.
A primary ministry goal of Jerel's has always been to raise future leaders up ... only in the Word of God, but also in practical application to actively prepare them for their own ministries. To this end, he started a Bible College on the church campus, which has developed into a very fruitful one-year program as part of the network of the Calvary Bible Institute.
For the older pastor who needs a Timothy, CBI could be your resource. For the younger minister who wants proper preparation for ministry, CBI could also be your resource.
Listen to Jerel talk about his vision, and the multiple campuses of CBI ... and what the Lord is doing.
Encouraging for any pastor who wants to follow the scriptural pattern of 2 Timothy 2:2.
Longtime missionary church planter Ed Compean (currently senior pastor of Shoreline Calvary Chapel in Morro Bay, CA) has a perspective on water baptism, its meaning and importance that we in the West need to hear.
Listen in as Ed shares with us what water baptism means ... not only Biblically, but in other world cultures.
Per Ed's suggestion, program host Bill Holdridge interviews Ed to provide a contrasting point of view. May the Lord use it to strengthen the cause of Christ and the mission of discipleship in our churches!
God is the lifeline of the individual believer, through believing prayer. That is also true of any congregation of believers ... God works through believing prayer.
As someone once said, “You can do more than pray after you have prayed but you cannot do more than pray until you have prayed.”
Join pastors Matt Valencia (The Regeneration Church, Scotts Valley CA) and Rich Chapman (Calvary Chapel Greenmeadow, RI) as they share ideas about what the prayer life of the apostolic church looked like, and why this is such an important distinctive in today’s church.
Who could not stand to pray more? And what church could not use more prayer?
Join pastors Tim Brown (Calvary Chapel Fremont, CA) and Jeremy Foster (Calvary Chapel in the Ozarks, AR) as they share ideas about what the breaking of bread looked like in the early church, and why it’s important today in any church.
Was breaking of bread a reference to communion only, or something else? Or was it a reference to the love-feast, a common meal? Or both?
This well thought out discussion will be sure to stimulate thinking, and perhaps even breathe new life into the practice of communion, and/or begin the practice of common meals within any given fellowship of believers.
Acts 2:42 states that the early believers were steadfastly committed to four major things. These commitments included their sharing life together, in Biblical fellowship.
Fellowship is the life conduit of any church. Learn from pastors Dan Leitz (Calvary Chapel Oceanside, CA) and Nate Holdridge (Calvary Monterey, CA) about how Biblical fellowship has been experienced in their churches.
Spoiler alert: many wise words are contained herein.
The early church ... the best church ... specifically the apostolic church ... was characterized by their passion. They were intentionally committed to the six focuses of Acts chapter 2. Senior/lead pastors and churches will do well to focus on the same things today.
One great priority for the N.T. church was its devotion and adherence to the apostles' doctrine.
What was the apostles' doctrine? Where can we find it? How can we be similarly devoted today?
Long-time pastors John Miller (Revival Christian Fellowship, Menifee, CA) and Sandy Adams (Calvary Chapel Stone Mountain, GA), both excellent expositors in their own pastoral ministries, will share from the Word and from their experience the powerful truth that a consistent ministry of the Bible is a necessary component of a spiritually healthy church.
Pastors: be ready to improve your serve in this area of your ministry.
Outreach, that's what we often call it. But outreach by itself, apart from the gospel, is not Great Commission ministry. Pastors Paul Berry (Calvary Chapel Santa Maria, CA) and Alan Stoddard (Calvary Chapel Ruidoso, NM) join us in today's important discussion on this subject.
This is the 2nd of 6 episodes dealing with the distinctives of ministry found in Acts chapter 2. They are: 1. Emphasis and reliance upon the Person and work of the Holy Spirit; 2. Evangelism; 3. Continual commitment to the apostle's teaching; 4. Continual commitment to Biblical fellowship; 5. Continual commitment to the breaking of bread; and 6. Continual commitment to prayers.
In this podcast, some of the form of evangelism is talked about ... but even more importantly, the heart of evangelism is discussed.
May the Lord bless each of our churches with a heart to sow, and with the blessing of reaping as well.
So we got together for one of our not-as-regular-as-we-should pastor chats, and we decided to record our collective thoughts on COVID-19 and its effect (amazing) on the kingdom of God.
Listen to testimonies and anecdotal evidence of God being on the move!
Be encouraged! Let the Holy Spirit broaden your vision, and enlarge your borders!
And, feel free to pass it on...
The first of a six part series from Acts chapter 2, this podcast dives into the subject of the need for and power of the Holy Spirit, and how He works in the church, and why pastors should care about it.
Holland Davis of Calvary Chapel San Clemente, CA (hollanddavis.com) and Jim Hesterly of Acts One Eight Ministries (act-one-eight.com) are a great pair of pastors to discuss this hugely important subject.
Join in this insightful interview.
Smack dab in the middle of this crisis, as the team of Poimen Ministries pastors gathered in a Zoom meeting to fellowship and update with one another, the subject of Covid-19 came up and so we went with it.
About 250 combined years of senior pastoral experience combined to tell the story of what they see the Lord doing through this pandemic.
This will be encouraging for pastors. Most certainly, the Lord has not lost His position as King of the universe and Lord of heaven and earth. And of the church.
Join show host Bill Holdridge for this interesting discussion.
Pastor Craig Hall may live in a smallish sized town. He may have a normal sized congregation. But he is doing a great work, and is a fine pastor who loves his flock and community dearly.
In this episode, Craig tells a bit of his story in ministry, as well as some exciting arenas of outreach in the community of Fortuna. If you've ever lived or pastored in a community that's on the small side, then listen in. Lots of encouragement contained in this program.
Jim Thomas has the gift of leadership, and is a leader. When a major opportunity presented itself to him, the Lord used him to make the most of it. When he assumed the leadership of Telios Church, it was in a very difficult time for the church and community.
Hear some of that testimony, and how the Lord has been able to work in and through Pastor Jim in his present role. The Lord is being glorified!
Prayer is essential. Prayer is God's idea. Prayer is the primary means by which God involves His children in what He wants to do in His world.
Prayer was a primary focus of the best church ever—the apostolic church, as in Acts 2:42.
Yet our prayer meetings are often boring, poorly attended, and unexciting ... when they ought to be one of the most exciting times of our lives.
Guest show host Tim Brown interviews the Bill Holdridge of Poimen Ministries on this intriguing and hopefully helpful subject.
"Lord, teach us to pray!"
Pastor Bill Walden is a seasoned pastor ... founding pastor of Cornerstone Ministries of Napa, CA (27 years), former lead singer for Undercover and The Mirrors, former College and Career Pastor at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, and current Missions Pastor at Calvary Chapel Napa. He is a major figure for many in Baja, Mexico, and is currently ministering in Bible Colleges and
Bill tells his story and adds his insights in an interview all the way from the Andes Mountains in Peru. The corona virus caused a border shutdown in Peru and Bill has been unable to return to the States.
Join this conversation as the two Bills verbalize some of their thinking on what this current situation might mean for the church and its leaders.
Bill uses the word "recalibrate" to describe what will be needed in the coming days, weeks, months, or even years.
Pastor Tim Brown joins show host Bill Holdridge in this huge issue for pastors ... made even more do due to this particular election year.
Pastor Tim has a gift of turning complexities into simplicity, which can be very helpful for pastors who want tips on how to navigate these choppy waters and stormy seas.
Tim is the pastor of Calvary Chapel in Fremont, California.
Mike Hughes of Calvary Chapel in Emmett, Idaho uses a simple, but profoundly effective tool to memorize chunks of the Bible, one bite (section) at a time.
Learn how this easy to learn, four step method can aid you in Bible memorization, even if you think you could never do that. As Mike says, if his high school students can do it, so can you.
Mike discusses with show host Bill Holdridge the effect on the church, and upon the pastor's preaching and teaching style.
Pastoral Transitions have an awful lot to teach us about pastoring the churches we currently pastor. There are lessons on developing leaders, about communication, about godly vision, and many other subjects.
In this podcast, Pastor Ed Compean of Shoreline Calvary Chapel in Morro Bay, CA, and Pastor Jack Arnold of Calvary Mt. Si in North Bend, WA share their stories, stories which are intertwined, but also are very different.
With them, show host Bill Holdridge explores subjects like reentry from the mission field, cultural adjustments, leadership equity and how to gain it, and vision for church and community.
Three of Poimen Ministries' experienced team of pastors explore some of the myths of the process of finding a new pastor, and transitioning from what was to what shall be.
Common myths include: (1) Transitions are smooth and easy, it's no big deal; (2) Who would ever want to come and pastor this church?; (3) Most pastors recognize when it's time to transition their church; (4) The current pastor needs to disappear as quickly as possible post-transition.
There is much to say on this subject, so say tuned!
It's wise to listen to any pastor who has faithfully and successfully borne fruit for almost 50 years of ministry.
In this episode Pastor Steve Carr of Calvary Chapel Arroyo Grande, CA will talk with Bill Holdridge about the recently completed transition of CCAG to a younger pastor. It's a textbook transition, one from which we can all learn.
Spoiler alert: every pastor and church at least must have an emergency plan, then follow that up with a long-term plan, as the Lord leads.
Steve is available by email at scarrck@lightspeed.net and via his website at https://covenantkeepers.org.
Gino Geraci has transitioned the church he planted over 27 years ago, and is now moving ahead with a full menu of ministry options in the next season of his life as a pastor-teacher.
Be encouraged at show host Bill Holdridge interviews Gino, and unpacks some of the particulars of his fresh vision — and what it looks like.
In the earliest stages of his first senior pastorate, Nate Holdridge comes out of the book of Joshua to explain how he knew the Lord would be with him.
A powerful reminder of the Presence and grace of God which is upon senior pastors, and which is absolutely necessary for their ministry to be successful in God's eyes.
Pastor Chuck Smith introduces Nate, with some interesting and helpful homiletical suggestions at the end of the message
Pastor Ken Merrihew is the founding and longtime pastor of Calvary Chapel Oklahoma City. He is a leader, a friend to pastors, and a source of godly wisdom to his peers in ministry.
In this podcast, Pastor Ken shares with us his thoughts about the advantages and strengths of a small (or normal) sized church. This is necessary encouragement for the majority of pastors serving in the U.S. today.
Like the Dead Sea, without an outlet, believers will not produced life-giving water. There is nothing like outreach—and doing good—to stimulate and strengthen believers in their walks with the Lord.
In this episode, show host Bill Holdridge interviews Pastor John Snoderly, the newly appointed Director of Calvary Disaster Relief. After explaining how John was called into the ministry, he shares about how Calvary Disaster Relief came into existence, and how this kind of ministry glorifies God and expands His kingdom.
Pastors want to do better. Sincerely they want this. They want it because their calling is to feed the flock of God with His Word; their calling is to equip believers for their ministries and works of service, using the Bible.
There is a lot riding on whether or not the pastor's teaching is anointed and clear. For the Great Commission to be fulfilled, there must be preaching power in the pulpit.
Pastor Bryan Newberry has a passion for helping pastors with their pulpit preparation and delivery. In this podcast episode Bryan will be talking about the difference between preparing the logos part of our messages vs. waiting upon God for the rhema part of our messages. There will also be a clear path to further help and encouragement, should it be desired.
Pastor Greg Phelps is the new senior/lead pastor of Calvary Chapel Red Bluff, CA. His is the story of eventual agreement with God's calling upon his life for this role, although he was like Moses initially ... very hesitant.
Pastor Bryan Newberry was the Transitional Senior Pastor from Poimen Ministries that moved to Red Bluff with his wife Cheryl for nine months, and helped the church move from being stuck to unstuck.
Pastor Greg and Poimen Ministries pastor Terry McNabb tell the story of this church transition, and how the church was restored to health.
It's been a great year for Strength for Today's Pastor, and we thank God for what He has done, and how He has used each of our interviewees to strengthen pastors, to strengthen their churches.
In this episode, snippets are played from each podcast participant.
This is a rich collection ... very rare to have this much wisdom packed into 50 minutes.
May you be blessed, and may 2020 be the most fruitful year ever.
The pastors of Poimen Ministries have a huge heart for their fellow senior pastors. Huge.
This Merry Christmas end-of-the-year podcast features all eleven pastors that are part the Poimen team. In two minutes or less, each of them share what's on their heart for those currently serving as senior or lead pastors of their churches.
Encouraging words to strengthen pastors, to strengthen their churches.
In this podcast episode, Trip Kimball takes us into the heart and example of Joseph, step-father of our Lord Jesus. Trip shows us how Joseph's life is a strong model for pastoral ministry, especially for the senior or lead pastor. Practical and timely, Trip is a longtime pastor, missionary, and now part of the team of pastors serving with Poimen Ministries.
Merry Christmas!
A hard-to-hear-to beginning, as Pastor Brian shares authentically about the hard times of his ministry. Doesn't get much more real than this.
Then came the wonderful working of God.
Listen in as Brian tells their story. Spoiler alert: lots of 'quotables' in this podcast. Enjoy. Super encouraging for today's pastor.
Well known Bible teacher and commentator David Guzik again shares with us about revival. What does revival look like? What happens when revival comes? What is revival's impact?
Obviously, those who know and understand the times in which we live also know and understand the need for revival in the church and spiritual awakening in our world.
David's website is enduringword.com.
Send your feedback, comments, and questions to strongerpastors@gmail.com.
Pastor David Guzik is a student, as well as a pastor-teacher. As a student, he has done extensive study on the subject of revival. In this podcast episode, hear David speak about what revival is and is not, as well as the possibility of a revival happening once again in our communities, our states, our country, or in our world.
For David's website, go to: www.enduringword.com.
Let's face it ... in almost every church, about 1/3 of the worship portion of the service is devoted to singing to and about God. And another significant portion is devoted to teaching/preaching.
Doesn't it make sense we pastors should pursue a great, unified relationship with our worship leader(s) and team(s)?
Yet many of us are bewildered concerning how to get that done.
Holland Davis has been leading worship since he was 16 years old. And he has served as the worship leader for pastors of a couple of the largest churches in America. He is currently a senior pastor himself—of Calvary Chapel in San Clemente, CA.
Therefore, Holland is uniquely fitted to help every pastor know how to serve, lead, and enable his worship leaders be the best Jesus has made them to be.
Show host Bill Holdridge speaks with Holland in this podcast episode #40 of Strength for Today's Pastor.
Holland Davis has a lot to say about the worship of God. His approach has the fragrance of Christ all over it.
Senior pastors can learn from worship leaders, to be sure. But it may be even more helpful if a senior pastor hears from a man who is both an anointed worship leader and a senior pastor. He can cover both sides of the same coin in terms of understanding worship in the church.
Holland is the senior pastor of Calvary Chapel San Clemente, CA. He is also the writer of the worship song "Let It Rise," along with the book by the same title.
Join show host Bill Holdridge as Holland helps us explore the heart of worship.
Ministry may not have to be as hard as we pastors make it sometimes.
Marc Knutson shares with us some of what he has learned over the years, and what he learned from Pastor Chuck Smith up close and personal, about flowing with the Holy Spirit in the ministry.
The Holy Spirit has a mind and will—and His mind and will are in complete cooperation with that of the Father and the Son.
Host Bill Holdridge joins Marc in this encouraging conversation.
The early church, aka the apostolic church, was wholly dependent upon the Holy Spirit. As was the case in Corinth, the spiritual gifts were regularly manifested. Signs and wonders accompanied the preaching of the gospel. Divine healing happened. Believers were being baptized by the Holy Spirit, in fulfillment of the Promise of the Father.
Paul Berry is the senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Santa Marian, CA. His church is a charismatic church, in the Biblical way of understanding what that means.
This podcast will be an encouragement for pastors to move beyond fears and apprehension about the work of the Holy Spirit, and into the fullness of life promised by Jesus to those who believe in Him.
Time away ... distance ... can often bring new perspective.
Pastor Nate Holdridge of Calvary Monterey gained new wisdom and insight into the way he is to minister to his family, and he gained this perspective while on sabbatical.
This podcast isn't a spanking, it's an encouragement. It's wisdom for the pastor who loves his family.
Strength for Today's Host Bill Holdridge interviews his son Nate, the senior pastor of Calvary Monterey on the Monterey Peninsula in California.
Nate was able to take a two month sabbatical after 20 years of ministry in the church, and he shares some of what he learned and observed from his time away with his family.
This will bless and encourage the senior pastor to make room for sabbath, and some of the valid and important reasons to do it.
Lonnie Frisbee was an important part of the Jesus movement of the late 60s and early 70s. His ministry was characterized by unusual spiritual power, amazing boldness, and strong evangelistic fruit.
YWAM and Calvary Chapel leader Danny Lehmann knew Lonnie well. In this podcast, we will hear from Danny about some of the takeaways from Lonnie's life.
Danny Lehmann is a major leader in Youth With A Mission (YWAM), an author, an elder of Calvary Chapel Honolulu, and an evangelist.
Danny is eminently qualified by the Lord to encourage and help pastors in their task of doing the work of an evangelist, which he does in this podcast interview with Poimen Ministries Director Bill Holdridge.
Danny has been walking with the Lord for 45 years, and is as relevant as ever.
Jim and Janice Larson serve the Lord in Tanzania, East Africa. Their ministry there is an amazing model of developing sustainable leaders and ministry. The lessons learned are transferable to any culture.
Learn from Pastor Jim as he discusses vision and how it affects actual ministry.
Hear about bold, forward thinking radical discipleship as it pertains to raising up leaders. You will be encouraged and challenged.
Bruce Zachary is the founding pastor of Calvary Nexus in Camarillo, CA.
Along with the oversight and shepherding of that flock of believers, Bruce has been very active in leadership development all over the world.
He co-directs the Calvary Church Planting Network with Pastor Miles DeBenedictis, which helps prospective church planters with training and other aspects of church planting. He also oversees the Velo Church Leadership team that comes alongside of churches and leaders to further equip and strengthen their leadership and service for God's Kingdom.
He is also the author of 16 books, as well as two training manuals (which are also in Spanish).
Bruce breathes leadership, and oozes leadership. He is a leader's leader as well as a man eager to learn and grow.
In this podcast, Bruce will lay out the basics of a church leadership development plan, and will overview the many great resources available through Calvary Nexus, CCPN, and Velo.
If you want to grow in leadership, this podcast will help you.
Stepping aside from a senior pastor role can be a fearful and uncertain venture. Who will lead this church moving forward? How will the congregation adjust to a new pastor? What will I do after the transition is complete?
Pastor Bill Walden of Cornerstone Ministries of Napa, CA (now called Calvary Chapel Napa), led his elders and church through a five year process that is going very well on both ends. Bill and his leaders read a lot, prayed a lot, talked a lot, and planned a lot. And the end result is working.
If you're considering transitioning your church in the future, this will encourage you.
Remember: unless you are still the senior pastor when Jesus returns, someone else will be the senior pastor of your church!
Neal Pirolo is a missionary and kingdom builder. His excellent book Serving As Senders Today has been used by countless churches and missionaries as a primary text concerning the "how to" of sending and being a missionary ... from recruitment to return from the field. His followup work The Reentry Team: Caring For Your Returning Missionaries is also a vital work which will help ensure a successful return for missionaries to their country of origin.
This podcast explains how caring for missionaries is not only financial. As referred to in the epistle to the Philippians, there are at least six ways to care for missionaries.
Learn how your church can do a great job sending and maintaining a fruitful, kingdom relationship with those you send out or support into another culture.
Paul exhorted Timothy to "be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry" (2 Timothy 4:5).
Yet for the busy pastor, this is often a very challenging and perhaps lacking area in his life and ministry.
In this episode, Pastor David Johnston strengthens us by giving very practical and strong ways to fulfill this part of our calling.
David is a bi-vocational senior pastor who serves in Calabasas, California. He is a pastor-teacher, but also gifted as an evangelist. As an evangelist, he is uniquely positioned to equip his fellow pastors to follow Paul's admonition to his young protege.
Spoiler alert: this will bless you.
Pastor, is counseling a burden or a blessing to you? How is your 1:1 ministry oriented? What's your end game?
Paul LeBoutillier speaks with program host Bill Holdridge about counseling, and the way the Lord has taught him to approach it in his church of almost 30 years. It promises to be both liberating and encouraging to any pastor.
Pastor Ed Taylor is an open book in private as well as in public. His transparency and sincerity are evident in this podcast episode, in which Ed provides abundant encouragement with regard to dealing with extreme loss, the pastor's calling, the pastor's own self-assessment and identity (spoiler alert: the pastor is not to be deemed successful on the basis of the size of your church!), and thinking and living within the good things that God has done and is doing.
Ed is the pastor of Calvary Chapel Aurora, Colorado, a solid, growing and relevant congregation near Denver. He and the church have completed 20 years as a fellowship, and during those years Ed has learned, and is learning valuable and transferable lessons in life and ministry. Ed's keeping it real...
Pastors are often isolated and feel alone. It's difficult to find others that can relate to the unique challenges of the ministry.
Not too surprisingly, pastors report that they often suffer from discouragement, and even depression.
Can isolation and feelings of being alone contribute to discouragement and/or depression?
In this episode, Pastor Tim Brown of Calvary Chapel Fremont, CA discusses the great need for us senior pastors to reach out to our peers in ministry, and to wash each other's feet.
Spoiler alert: this will encourage and strengthen you.
Join host Bill Holdridge and Pastor Trip Kimball as they discuss some of the how-to's of disciple making, especially within the ministry of the senior/lead pastor.
Questions like, who should we look for? or what is the goal of disciple making? or how did Jesus do it? are part of the discussion.
This episode can be helpful to restart or jump-start an existing discipleship emphasis with our churches.
Every senior/lead pastor knows about the Great Commission and its importance in fulfilling God's vision for the church.
But what does that look like in the life and ministry of the busy pastor?
Pastor Trip Kimball has a long history of pouring into people that they might follow Christ well.
In this podcast, program host Bill Holdridge will interview Pastor Trip to help us all discover how we can grow as disciplers.
You've heard about this idea, and you've been thinking about it. There are roadblocks to consider, and you're reviewing some of them in your own mind.
Yet just the hope of an extended restorative time away charges your batteries.
How can the obstacles to actually doing this be overcome?
What about your church's leadership, how will they ever get on board?
Why not just take an extra week of vacation?
In this podcast, Pastor John Cowan of Poimen Ministries responds to these questions with Program Host Bill Holdridge.
May the Lord bless you as you live in, and enter into His rest!
Many pastors do not consider the idea of taking an extended time away from their normal pastoral duties, to be renewed and strengthened personally and in ministry.
Yet at the same time we hear about how many pastors are leaving the ministry these days ... many of which admit to experiencing burnout, lack of vision, or a weakened spiritual life.
Maybe you, pastor, may be in need of a sabbatical.
In this program, Host Bill Holdridge speaks with longtime pastor John Cowan about what a sabbatical is, and why it's important to consider. John calls a sabbatical a time of "refueling."
If you've been in your church for ten years or more, you may indeed be a candidate for a sabbatical. Perhaps this podcast can help you determine that.
Poimen Ministries Director (and program host) Bill Holdridge interviews Pastor Gillett Doggett on the subjects of the senior pastor's retirement, care for his widow should the pastor go home to be with the Lord, and adequately preparing for a church transition when and if it gets to be that time.
This program will be helpful for church boards of directors, elder boards, deacon boards, and finance and budget committees. The senior/lead pastor may consider making this show available to his leadership team(s).
Gillett Doggett has served the Lord for many years, and is like a modern day Caleb. This octogenarian has a great passion for the care of pastoral widows, and for the pastor and his family.
Host Bill Holdridge interviews Pastor Bryan Newberry, a senior pastor for 32+ years. Bryan is passionate about connecting with the next generation, and exudes proper confidence in the Lord that it's doable.
Many pastors are asking, "why are the young people leaving?" And most of the time, we pastors are unclear about what to do about it!
But the next gen WANTS to be reached, and Bryan provides Biblical, practical, Jesus centered, and easy to implement practices that will encourage any pastor to go for it.
Part two of this two part series focuses on some of the 'must do' practices for the church that wants to fulfill the Great Commission as it reaches the younger people. Bryan's suggestions, if applied, have the potential to radically change the dynamic of any church.
Host Bill Holdridge interviews Pastor Bryan Newberry, a senior pastor for 32+ years. Bryan is passionate about connecting with the next generation, and exudes proper confidence in the Lord that it's doable.
Many pastors are asking, "why are the young people leaving?" And most of the time, we pastors are unclear about what to do about it!
But the next gen WANTS to be reached, and Bryan provides Biblical, practical, Jesus centered, and easy to implement practices that will encourage any pastor to go for it.
Part one of this two part series focuses on the mindset of today's youth, and how our churches can adjust to that mindset. The message and foundation remains the same as we reach out to young people, but the approach and methods can and must adjust.