Coaching For Pastors - Encouragement and Support for Ministry Leaders: Recent Episodes
Jeff Keady - Coaching For Pastors
The Coaching For Pastors Podcast provides coaching, encouragement, and support to pastors - regardless of gender, denomination, or church size. Until we meet our first over-encouraged pastor, we will produce weekday Quick Hit episodes (Mon-Fri) that are under ten minutes long, and Saturday Weekend Editions, which are closer to an hour, where conversations with guests challenge and inspire you! Share this podcast with other pastors, unless they're over-encouraged already. Yeah, we didn't think so! Jeff Keady is a 35-year ministry veteran, and currently the lead pastor at Community Heights Church in Newton IA, and is the co-founder of the 200churches Podcast with Jonny Craig.
My friend, with society and culture speeding up at an exponential rate, it's becoming obvious that this isn't just a "phase" that will pass. We are on a trajectory that will leave us increasingly over-scheduled, inundated, preoccupied, and constantly tending to the tyranny of the urgent.
In this episode I ask what YOU are doing to get off the merry-go-round of culture. How can we be sure to not wander from the spiritual disciplines of solitude, prayer, and study in order to fulfill our callings as pastors?
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You already know Pastor, the speed and dynamics of life and ministry are increasing exponentially these days. Somehow we have to turn the firehose into a kitchen faucet, so that we can both survive and make an impact. Some thoughts after two weeks off - and after turning... 60!
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Our role, per Ephesians 4, as pastors is to equip our people to do the work of the ministry - and I contend that somethings the best way we can equip them, is to recognize that they are already gifted by the Holy Spirit, and we just need to get out of their way!
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Paul Schlieker takes seriously Jesus' command to make disciples of all people. Paul is going to challenge your thinking about how you challenge YOUR OWN church family to be disciple makers!
Paul is a financial planner who takes Jesus with him everywhere. He and his wife Peggy are very active serving in various roles and if you CLICK HERE they have some free gifts for you - that you can use in your church for small groups, discipleship classes, Bible studies, or Sunday School classes.
Enjoy my conversation with Paul... just for you!
Support the showFor more great content and conversations for pastors, check out the over 400 episodes of the 200churches Podcast!
Paul's life was changed by the message of the cross, and he has become a servant of God, with a calling he is committed to fulfilling. Paul is a financial planner/manager who serves people by helping them prepare for their future. He's also a disciple of Jesus who makes more disciples of Jesus.
Soon he will travel to Chicago to consult with leaders of a national ministry on how they can better their discipleship ministry. He and his wife meet with international college students who have come to Omaha for college. Their aim is to help them place their faith in Jesus and become followers, who will take the message of Jesus back to their home countries and communities.
The other day he met me for breakfast in Omaha NE and really blessed me - he will be our guest on March 11 for the 42nd Weekend Edition of the Coaching for Pastor's Podcast. You. Will. Like. It.
Today I share how Paul both blessed and challenged me...
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Tonight I asked ChatGPT to "Write a blog post about how pastors can use ChatGPT in sermon preparation."
A portion of this episode will be me, using what ChatGPT wrote - in my own voice. You decide if it was any good. Then I give you my hot take on us pastors using writing AI's in our ministries.
We can't stick our heads in the sand - nor can we move forward without wisdom...
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Andy Stanley once said, we need to marry our mission but date our methods. So true! So that begs the question that I unpack in this short episode: Are your ministry methods getting in the way of your church accomplishing its mission??
Enjoy - but please also give this some thought this weekend...
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Pastor, the Enemy would love to sideline both you and your church. He'll attack your marriage, your parenting, your family, your hobbies, your addictions, anything! Anything to keep you off the court and out of the game.
Our people are languishing for lack of encouragement, inspiration, and affirmation. We could so easily build them up through a simple gift God has given us. A gift to use to do exactly those three things for our church family.
Jeff talks about that gift, that #1 tool of a pastor, in today's episode, #234.
Enjoy!
Support the showFor more great content and conversations for pastors, check out the over 400 episodes of the 200churches Podcast!
Here is a simple pastoral hack to help you alleviate stress and anxiety from your ministry day. God is BIG and he can handle and shoulder all of our cares and anxieties. Giving him your "trust list" is an easy way to join in community with others.
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The recent CDC Report on Teen Mental Health is out and it is not good.
Pastor, I believe it is absolutely critical that as lead pastors, whether we are in our 20's or 60's - we must develop rapport and relationship with the kids in our churches. They need to have a connection to us. We must influence them.
When the tough times come, we need to be able to speak into their lives. When they are learning and growing the most, forming their world view and their assumptions about God - we should have a connection with them. Today I share 5 Reasons Why We Should!
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(This is the first 20 minutes of a recent 60 minute conversation I had with Jeannine Brown for my 200churches Podcast. It has not been released yet, so this is a sneak preview!)
Dr. Jeannine Brown from Bethel Seminary joins me to talk about her work on the First Peter volume in the New International Commentary on the New Testament series. We discuss the content and context of 1 Peter. A fascinating conversation on the text of 1 Peter itself. Let's geek out together!
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This week for me has been full, varied, exciting, and filled with a moderate amount of high drama. Today, on Friday, I share two lessons I learn from this week - and truly wonder at the opportunities that next week will bring!
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Too often we just try to get by with what we have in ministry, and that includes the volunteers and staff we have, when in reality it just might be that we need more!
And, the MORE we add to our human capital in our church, the better the Body of Christ will be served and equipped. Then, one wonderful cycle starts to turn and people are added to the church, souls are saved, families are healed, and true life change is experienced.
All because we weren't afraid to ask for help!
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Okay, maybe it's not my biggest, but this is certainly one of my worst leadership failures in pastoral ministry! I led a team to the cliff, to stand in awe of the view, but then I essentially pushed them off. :-(
The story eventually takes a good turn, in that I want to learn and grow - and I haven't given up, but have gotten much better.
I hope you learn something from this all too true story of ministry failure...
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Today Jeff gives you Part 2, where he shares some assumptions he has about preaching, and then some ideas for you to implement that will help you connect with your people and avoid those boring sermons!
Enjoy!
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We'll all hit those preaching slumps. This is not an episode about how to get out of a slump. It might help, but I've found the only way out of a slump is time, and prayer, and a little diligence.
But this IS an episode about how to create an interesting sermon or message. The things on this episode are true! Move heaven and earth to not bore your people with God or his Word.
This is Part 1 - tomorrow is Part 2. Enjoy!
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I've been a part of A LOT of leadership team meetings over the last 40+ years. The good, the bad, and of course - the UGLY.
I was thinking the other day about what the essential elements of an effective leadership team meeting are, and I've come up with three. Likely, you are planning for your next meeting even this week - and I hope that this episode gets you thinking in some helpful directions!
Enjoy!
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Ray Brandon is a pastor who planted his church almost 20 years ago, and has like many of you expanded his ministry reach and involvement. I've known Ray for more than 30 years and am not surprised at the level of pastoral and ministry excellence and integrity he has achieved.
Enjoy this episode - i hope you are inspired and encouraged as much as I was!
Join thousands of others in prayer for the church on the Day of Pentecost, SIGN UP HERE AT DoPray.Church!
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This week's earthquake in Turkey and Syria have been catastrophic and horrific. How can we even fathom the horror? It causes me to consider the Great Commission and the need for the Gospel around the world, and right next door...
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Jesus said it over and over - in judgment - condemning the religious leaders: "You Hypocrites!" When I was a young pastor, and would read Matthew 23, I would think, "man, I'm so glad I'm not one of those religious leaders! So glad I'm not a hypocrite!"
The older I get, the more I understand them. The less judgmental I feel toward them. I still don't ever want to be one, a hypocrite, but I can easily wander in that direction. Today I talk about my fear, and what I believe keeps me from it... enjoy!
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Pastor, in this episode I share my overwhelm in life right now. I don't whine or complain, or prate on and on about how "busy" I am - but I try to be honest for long enough to share with you what my hope is through it all.
God gives us opportunities to serve, busy or not. Overcommitted or not. And we get to do it, with people. And we never do it yesterday, or tomorrow, or next week, or next year. But only today. Always today. Because today matters.
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Here are two more lessons I learned when I contemplated my experience giving blood.
If you've never given blood, call the Red Cross, the Blood Bank, LifeServe Blood Center, or your local hospital to get information on where you can go to give blood. It's a beautiful thing.
I enjoyed recording this episode just for you pastor! Enjoy.
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I gave blood! I hate doing it, but I love having done it. I know it's a good thing to do, so that's why I do it. To help others.
I thought of several ministry lessons I learned from giving blood - and I share them with you today and tomorrow, on shorty episodes that I had a lot of fun recording!
Enjoy - and... GIVE BLOOD!
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In this episode, Jeff shares his final four recommendations for young pastors to follow when leading people in their church who are 2-4 times older than them.
Loving your people, making connections, and building relational bridges - these are all things that help us minister to our people! Enjoy!
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If you are a new pastor, or a young pastor, you may be "leading" people in your church who are 2-4 times older than you! They are wiser, more experienced, wealthier, and have significantly more substantial jobs than you.
But if you will take to heart these eight pieces of advice, if you'll engage and employ them in your life and ministry, you'll likely have much more influence and success in leading older people!
I have eight for you, but the first four are today, and the final four will be tomorrow...
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Jeff coaches young pastors and new pastors on four common myths us pastors shouldn't believe, but sometimes do! After almost 36 of ministry, Jeff has learned much of what he teaches and coaches the hard way. He shares today from what he learned as a new pastor, and what he has seen new pastors that he's coached... do.
This episode will give you some good perspective as you start out a new ministry calling. Enjoy!
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Jim Cymbala is the author of his 1997 book, Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire: What Happens When God's Spirit Invades the Hearts of His People, and for over 50 years has been the pastor of The Brooklyn Tabernacle in Brooklyn NY.
His most recent book, Fan The Flame - Let Jesus Renew Your Calling and Revive Your Church, is available on the Brooklyn Tabernacle site for much less.
Check out what Jim has to say to pastors...
Support the showFor more great content and conversations for pastors, check out the over 400 episodes of the 200churches Podcast!
Today I have a recommendation for you! You do not want to miss it. Engage in it this weekend at some point, and GET BETTER because of it.
Here's my unusual recommendation, and my usual affirmations! :-)
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I was browsing through Colossians chapter 1 and had to pause and share these thoughts with you, my pastor friends!
Sometimes I can get caught up in the things I have to DO, and I always need to redirect myself back to PEOPLE. I have to be in proximity to people, and work hard to present everyone fully mature in Christ.
Thanks for listening to this episode and letting me chat with you about what God was impressing on me...
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Healthy staff teams take work, whether they are paid or volunteer staff. One is not easier than the other - just because you pay them doesn't mean your relationship with them will be automatically healthy and productive. Just because they're volunteers doesn't mean it will be easier or harder to manage the interaction.
Just like a marriage, or a healthy and fit body, staff relationships take work. Today I share with you five practices that will move you toward better staff health. Staff health contributes to church health.
A healthy, productive, fun, and challenging church staff, volunteer or paid, is a privilege and pleasure to serve with! Today's coaching will help!
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Todd Rhoades has been in the "Connecting Staff to Churches" business since the dawn of the New Millennium, the year 2000! He recently spent 10 years on the team at the Leadership Network, and almost four years ago co-founded ChemistryStaffing.com with Matt Steen.
Todd has been neck deep in ministry practice, theory, and leadership for a long time. I've seen him on websites and emails for years and have FINALLY had the opportunity to sit down with him for an hour-long conversation, which I share with you today on Weekend Edition 37! Enjoy!
If you are sensing God's call to a new ministry, or if you need to call a new staff member and need help in the search, contact Todd or Matt at Chemistry Staffing!
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Jeff shares 2 simple things that will improve your message or talk THIS weekend!
Have a great weekend! See you tomorrow for the Weekend Edition of the CFP Podcast!
Enjoy!
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You get up early, you stay up late, you go to bed with unfinished work on your mind and to-do list, and it's an unusually busy and stressful week. You have a funeral or two, a message to finish, people to visit with, staff to plan with, a day trip and some meetings, a grandkid's birthday party, a board meeting, baptisms to prepare for, appointments to keep track of, lunch meetings, perhaps course work, a part time job, you want to work out, rest, spend time with your spouse, etc.
What do YOU do when you're facing a very busy, stressful, somewhat overwhelming week of life and ministry? Here are six things I do naturally, and then six more that I WISH I did naturally, and try to do intentionally.
Enjoy!
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Jeff uses a quote from Max Du Pree about the first responsibility of a leader, then speaks to pastors about adopting the posture of, of all things... a tax collector!
Don't be too hard on yourself pastor, God will have mercy on you, a SINNER!
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This episode features Roger Parrot, the President of Belhaven University in Jackson, Mississippi. (I've always wanted to type out the whole state name!).
Roger wrote the book: Opportunity Leadership - Stop Planning and Start Getting Results.
Check out the University's website - it's so well done. Also, check out Rogers 5-Part Video series on The Real Cost of College - 5 Myths.Enjoy this episode! Get the rest of the conversation on Episode 412 of the 200churches Podcast released on January 18, 2023.
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Blue Letter Bible is the BEST! Free online Bible Study Software that you will absolutely get addicted to!
Blue Letter Bible is NOT a sponsor, nor am I getting any money or benefit from this episode, except to know that you might begin using it and benefiting from it!
Check out these two videos:
Blue Letter Bible UsersHow to use Blue Letter Bible Enjoy this episode with my top six things I love about Blue Letter Bible!
Support the showFor more great content and conversations for pastors, check out the over 400 episodes of the 200churches Podcast!
Today I talk about two very important, and very different things.
- Doctrine, what we believe the Bible teaches and God desires.
- How do we minister to lost people in our community?
Denominations are splitting over serious cultural and moral issues, and often lost and hurting people, even those seeking God, are getting caught in the crossfire of Christians who are drawing sharp lines of doctrinal distinction between them, and then separating.
Doctrine is very important, and truth is not relative but objectively comes from God's Word, but how do we apply the truth of God to the lives of real people who are far from Jesus. The life and ministry of Jesus shows us a different way. (we'll talk about Jesus' way tomorrow)
I know you'll be challenged by this episode! Enjoy!
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We live in a negative world, and a negative culture. Selfishness, greed, lust, and power all work to deliver a very negative energy culture.
Even many Christians have become fatalists, doomsdayers, and downers. We have to fight to maintain a positive attitude and outlook - but it's worth the fight!
Here are 8 ways you can move the ball down the field for happiness, joy, and positivity! Enjoy!
Let me help you by providing you with a smile...
"A discouraged horse walked into a bar and sat down dejectedly on a stool. The bartender walked over and said, 'Hey pal, why the long face?'" :-)
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We are all interim pastors and leaders. At some point, we will walk away from our ministry or organization. Today I talk about setting a goal for the end of 2023 that we wouldn't be needed anymore.
Unneeded because we have equipped our team and our people to do ministry and lead without us. Would that not be a great reality? Then we can get started on a new venture, a new ministry, a new project within the church! It doesn't mean we have to leave, but we have to equip our people to lead and do the work!
Right now I can think of some responsibilities that I need to equip others to do... can't you??
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Sometimes we want to get a different result - so we just double down on what we have already been doing.
Wrong.
I have two suggestions for you. Enjoy!
P.S. Happy New Year 2023!!
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Is God still in the business of redemption? Is he redeeming people and restoring them back into a loving relationship with him? You'd better believe it!
As we stare down 2023 coming right at us, I'm thinking about redemption stories in my life, and the people in my world who have yet to be redeemed. There will be people who God brings to us so that we can partner with him in the redemption process.
Today's episode is about my friend Gabe, whom God miraculously redeemed! Enjoy!
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Today's guest conversation is with Dr. Scot McKnight from Northern Seminary in Chicago. Here is what Northern says about Scot:
Dr. Scot McKnight is a world-renowned speaker, writer, professor and equipper of the Church. He is a recognized authority on the historical Jesus, early Christianity, and the New Testament. His blog, Jesus Creed, is a leading Christian blog.
Dr. McKnight’s most recent books include Reading Romans Backwards and Pastor Paul.
A sought after speaker, he has been interviewed on several radio and television programs as well as spoken at numerous local churches, conferences, colleges, and seminaries in the United States and around the world. Scot McKnight is a member of the Society of Biblical Literature and the Society for New Testament Studies.
McKnight’s books have been translated into Chinese, Korean, Russian, and Portuguese.
On this Weekend Edition #35, we talk to Scot about a basic, fundamental understanding of the Christian life, which greatly informs how we understand faith and do ministry. Jonny Craig and I talked with Scot several years, yet this is so timely, and evergreen, for pastors today, and I'm so thankful to be able to share it with you!
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I (Jeff) have been brooding through Jeremiah. It bothers me. The people, how they so easily and willfully turn away from God, from their source of life, and set themselves up for such judgment!
What really bothers me is how much I am like them. That's what I want to talk with you about today...
Support the showFor more great content and conversations for pastors, check out the over 400 episodes of the 200churches Podcast!
Sometimes during December and the Christmas season people actually experience more discouragement and even depression. The short days and long periods of darkness, the cold, missing family at the holidays, etc. Pastors are not immune to the same things.
On this episode Jeff reminds you as a pastor that when the angels came to announce the Good News of the arrival of the Messiah - they came first to whom?? Who were the first ones, the first group to hear? The Shepherds. Yeah.
We're shepherds. Let's not be, in the busyness of the seasons, the ones to miss the Good News of "God with us"! We hope this is encouraging to you Pastor!
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Hey my friend, aren't we all sad when Christian leaders are taken down by their own words? Lies, fabrications, (I'm not sure the difference!) racist comments, bad jokes, careless words, sexual innuendo, "off mic" comments, in the heat of the moment retorts, etc.
Careless or empty words can cause much pain to us, our families, our churches, and the cause of the Gospel of Jesus. Almost every day it seems like we hear of someone who is publicly known, called to account for their words. We're pastors - we traffic in words. Let's make sure we are not caught speaking in the wrong direction on a one-way street!
Let me start by telling you the story of that one board meeting. (the ending I never share in the episode... he was gone seven months later)
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Kurt Trempert is the lead pastor of HarvestDowntown.org in Colorado Springs CO and has served there for 23 years. He and I talked about what he has learned in ministry, how his experiences have shaped him, his strengths and weaknesses, and what the most important responsibilities of pastors are... and more!
Kurt's book is called Kaleidoscope - Keeping the Church from Becoming a Museum.
You're going to get a lot out of this one! Enjoy!
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Culture is created either by accident, or by intention. YOU, my friend, must be an intentional culture creator in your church. Nobody cares more, loves more, or is more committed to the mission and the call than you!
Jeff shares how to create culture in your church. Don't let someone else do it by accident, you take the responsibility for this one!
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The leadership of a church sets the tone, the heart, the culture, and the direction of the church. Tomorrow we'll talk about culture, but today - only you as the lead pastor, or solo pastor, can select and develop leaders in your church.
Others may help you, but you have to direct them, essential do it through them. YOU are responsibility for the selection and development of leaders. Pastors who do not assume both the responsibility and the authority to do that will cause the church to lose impact in its Kingdom work for Jesus.
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Pastor, do you believe that your prayers for the people in your church can have a dramatic effect on their lives?
Well... you'd better! :-) Because prayer is powerful and effective and the pastor's prayers for his or her people will make a big difference.
That's what I am talking to you about today - what ONLY YOU can do in your church. As the pastor, your prayers are quite important... check it out!
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When there are multiple people attempting to lead a congregation, it can be confusing and counterproductive for the people in the church. Especially when there are competing visions and missions. Only the lead or solo pastor has the responsibility to provide real leadership.
This one you can get help with... but you can't delegate it!
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Today Jeff begins this week's theme of "Only YOU". Five things that only the pastor can do - it's YOUR responsibility, no one else's!
Only YOU can prioritize your health. No one else will, nor do they want to. They're having a tough enough time monitoring their own health right now.
Jeff describes a number of areas that make up holistic health...
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Bruce and Toni Hebel join Jeff to talk about their teaching on Forgiving Forward. They counsel, consult, and coach with individuals, leaders, pastoral couples, and many more every week of the year.
What does it look like to actually forgive? What does forgiveness mean? How about repentance? Reconciliation? Healing? The impact on mental health?
Bruce and Toni talk through the full monty! You'll learn a LOT from this episode!
Forgiving Forward WebsiteForgiving Forward BookForgiving Forward Resources
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Just yesterday (for me), November 30, 2022, I had my very last class session for the final course in my Doctoral program. A 2.5 hour Zoom session. There were about 15 of us.
I took copious notes, and want to share just a couple of the many great teachings we tossed around. There were a lot of helpful principles of change leadership in the church we discussed. But in Episode 197 I share with you just a couple.
You will get some really helpful counsel in this episode, compliments of all 15 of us...
And then - I preview what is going to be an excellent Weekend Edition on December 3 - this Saturday!
Enjoy!
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After a 10-day break, Jeff returns to update the listeners, and share a snippet from A Theology of Love, a book by Mildred Bangs Wynkoop, which is a classic and a cornerstone book on the subject of biblical love.
Then he parlays all that into what he believes is the highest call of pastoral ministry, in a challenge for how we can approach the busy Christmas season in ministry!
A Theology of Love by Wynkoop
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Hello Pastor! In my recent doctoral class, I reviewed my notes for the semester and found, among dozens, six quotes I just have to share with you. It was hard to pick six, but here they are - with just a little commentary from me!
In this episode I let you know that I might miss a day or two here or there of the podcast - as we move through the end of the year and the holidays. I have to prioritize my family and my church ministry. So, if I miss a day, I'll be back pretty quick.
Enjoy these six insightful quotes!
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Pastor, today I want to talk with you about humility. Sometimes we think we are really something. But in humility Jesus saved the world.
I think in humility we can accomplish his will for us. Matthew 25 and the least of these. John 4 and the woman at the well. John 13 and washing the disciples' feet. Touching the lepers, caring for the sick and the blind. Noticing the widow who gave all she had. Assigning John to care for his mother as he hung dying on the cross.
Yeah. Humility. We need it. It. Is. Powerful.
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Pastor, you know how we can sometimes zone out in ministry, and catch ourselves just going through the motions? Yeah, me too.
Today I want to urge you to deal in the Spirit, and not peddle culture and tradition.
If we don't do this, shape culture, lead, and love - who will?
It's our job, our role, our calling. Let's embrace the work of the Spirit who leads us into LOVE.
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Jeff shares some observations on the people he connected with this past Sunday morning. He shares...
Why Pastors Exist. Enjoy!
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This is a great quick episode with some dense and valuable coaching from John Finkelde from GrowAHealthyChurch.com in Perth, Australia.
Check out the HUB, a monthly membership resource that your church leaders could truly benefit from - consider signing your church up for this monthly resource. John doesn't know I am promoting this - nor did he ask - but it's good, and you should check it out!
He offers a 14-day free test drive!
Support the showFor more great content and conversations for pastors, check out the over 400 episodes of the 200churches Podcast!
Jeff gives some perspectives on suffering as a pastor. We often want to get out of, or get over suffering quickly. Most people do. But suffering is such a tool, and so redemptive in our lives.
What if we didn't grow because we never went through any suffering? That would be unfortunate. We'd be shallow pastors with shallow ministries.
So, some thoughts on suffering...
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The best coaching always drives toward the fundamentals, right? The old Vince Lombardi quote... "Gentleman, this is a football."
I want to take you today to Philippians chapter two as a template that the Apostle Paul might use to challenge your leadership team right now in 2022.
Imagine you've invited him and you're around a nice boardroom table, and he gets just a few minutes with you... Philippians 2: one through such and such is a place where he might start...
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Pastor, you are a safe one. You love your people. You have the power to put the mirror of self-awareness in front of people and help them to see who they really are.
Most of the time, the most loving thing someone can do for another person is to tell them the truth.
Jeff talks about a lesson from his Psych 101 prof that has stayed with him for almost 40 years!
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Ministry is all consuming, and sometimes it literally robs us of our vibrant relationship with God. When this happens, we have to push the reset button.
Today we identify the problem, and tomorrow we begin to address it with some solutions.
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In the United States, this episode is being released the day before the 2022 Midterm elections. In this episode I encourage pastors to be pastors, not political hacks or political pundits.
Pastors, let's not be distracted by the issues of the State - but let's stay focused on our calling to the Church and the Gospel.
Let's not get this wrong. Let's be like Jesus on this issue...
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We sat down with Dan Reiland, who is an Executive Pastor at 12Stone Church in the Atlanta area - to just have an informal Q&A on the pastor's life in ministry. How many hours to work? What's your daily/weekly routine? How do you direct your staff members in their family/ministry management?
These are the areas, plus more, that we cover. You'll get a LOT out of this coaching session! Enjoy!
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Jeff talks today about a practice-based approach to ministry versus an outcome-based approach to ministry. What's the difference? Which is better?
The question is: are we doing ministry differently today than we were twenty years ago? And what should that change look like?
This is an episode that will challenge your thinking and hopefully create new thoughts for you!
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The people on the Titanic had already felt the thud of the ship hitting the ice, and the hull was breached, and yet many of them had no sense that they were in trouble.
Pastor, in our culture - perhaps we are already in trouble. In this episode I talk to you about that trouble, and how we might mitigate its effects on us... enjoy!
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Jeff shares a story of a funeral service he did, how he struggled with it, and what he wanted to accomplish in it.
Every pastor sooner or later will face a group of people that are like those sheep, scattered, without a shepherd. Then we have to decide how we will relate to them, and how we will call out to God for help.
What our motives are in those moments will determine how we relate to those people, and I believe, whether or not we will connect with them...
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Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our ministry world and in actually being a pastor, that we forget who it is we are becoming. Who has God created us to be? Who are we to our family, or community, and to our friends?
At our deepest core, we should just be us, not pastors... check it out...
On this episode I quote from the book, The Kingdom Life, but you can read more from Keith Meyer in his own book titled Whole Life Transformation.
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Jeff describes the weekend he had, with all of the pastoral involvement he experienced with so many different people in the church/community. He then shares some of the struggle and thought processes that go into navigating pastoral ministry.
Real ministry talk with you my friend, pastor to pastor! Enjoy...
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Dr. David Fitch, from Northern Seminary in Chicago, joins us to talk about how the church joins Jesus to be a faithful presence in the community. David Fitch is an author, seminary prof, and all around great communicator and thought leader in the Christian Ministry world.
Fitch is a believer in modest sized churches, opining that they are more effective in reaching and ministering to the community. Great food for thought for pastors!
Check out his book, Faithful Presence - 7 Disciplines That Shape The Church For Mission.
Support the showFor more great content and conversations for pastors, check out the over 400 episodes of the 200churches Podcast!
Sometimes, in the course of one's life and leadership - you need to burn a bridge, jump out of a plane, pass a point of no return, take that leap of commitment where there's no going back.
Jeff challenges pastors to do just that in this episode, describing experiences and stories from his own life and ministry. Jeff hopes that God uses this episode to push you to take that step that you've been avoiding and afraid of - and... there's a story about sofas on fire too!
Enjoy!
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Are you propping up ministries that have long since lost their luster - and their enthusiastic volunteers? Maybe the person who began the ministry is long gone, but some people feel compelled to keep the ministry going... on life support!
What is the only ministries in your church were driven by people gifted and impassioned to lead them, and to volunteer for them?
Sometimes when the horse dies... it's time to dismount. Maybe you are digging your spurs into the side of a dead horse. Time to give up on it, send it to the glue factory, and reveal the Spirit empowered giftedness in your people to command the next new thing?
Enjoy!
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Jeff talks about a conversation with a guy he spent four days with in May, 2014...
Dave Ronan, from episode 72 of the 200churches Podcast - a classic episode you should listen to!
Then he connects this conversation to yesterday's episode 178, when people do you dirty, and the stories he hears from pastors in his role on a licensing and ordination committee.
Enjoy!
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I remember hearing John Maxwell say, years ago... "in ministry, you have to lead like you don't have to survive. You don't have to survive." I would say, in ministry, you may survive, but you won't get away unscathed. There will always be enough hurt to go around in ministry.
And, that's okay! Even though people will do us dirty, that's okay, we can just make pretend they didn't. Now, don't hear me promoting psychological malpractice. We should not be looking for pain, nor should we allow people to walk all over us. But our response is quite important.
In this episode I quote from The Gift of Disillusionment - Enduring Hope For Leaders After Idealism Fades by Peter Greer and Chris Horst. It's a great book, check it out!
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Jeff shares an excerpt from Dana Candler's book, First Love - Keeping Passion For Jesus In A World Growing Cold, and applies it to you, Pastor. Imagine, pastors getting to eat from the food prepared by them for the people!?
Candler writes about her encounter with God, and challenges people to actually believe what God says about himself and our relationship with him, and Jeff applies this to pastors... Enjoy!
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Jeff wraps up a week on preaching with a conversation about preaching, with the founder of Grow A Healthy Church, John Finkelde. John coaches pastors on their preaching, among many other ways he coaches and consults with pastors and church leadership teams.
John wrote a book called Preaching In A Whatever World, that we reference in the episode. John shares some tips, tricks, and foundational presuppositions on the crafting and delivery of sermons.
You will both learn and be encouraged by this episode - enjoy!
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Jeff recorded a last minute replacement episode for Friday, October 21, late on Thursday, October 20. :-)
He thought of too many things he wanted to share with you on Thursday, so he re-recorded the Friday episode and this is it! He even shares a clip from another podcast that speaks to the discipline of preaching and communicating.
Thanks for proclaiming the Gospel to your people Pastor - we know this episode is going to encourage you in it! Enjoy!
Here's the FULL YouTube version of the Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast episode that Jeff's highlights: Vanessa Van Edwards Episode.
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Have you ever thought about it? Do you preach from your head or your heart? What does it mean to preach from your head?
How can you be sure to preach from your heart? I think the only guaranteed way to truly preach from your heart... is to pray. Prayer opens up the highway for your message to be delivered from your heart to your people.
Here's what this looks like... Enjoy!
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Sometimes we prepare the message that we like, that we know, and that we would like to hear, never considering who is going to be sitting right in front of us.
Jeff talks about how to consider those to whom you are speaking. They are the receivers and beneficiaries of your message. Consider them deeply as you prepare your sermon.
Enjoy this episode!
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There are a few things that are important to keep in mind - as you prepare an effective, helpful, and encouraging message for you people.
What Jeff talks about today is ONE of them. He'll share three more throughout the rest of this week.
He says... "Enjoy!" :-)
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Hey Pastor, after missing a Sunday at my church, I feel a little out of sorts - a little off balance for the week ahead because I did not connect with my church family on Sunday.
And, while reading 1 Samuel 12 I was challenge on the issue of preaching, and the kind of messages we share with our people - so here are some thoughts on that, along with a challenge for you...
Enjoy!
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John Finkelde talks about his own transition from founding pastor in his church, and he talks about raising up leaders, and transitioning volunteer leaders on and off teams.
Jonny Craig talks with John Finkelde and pulls some serious truth out of him! You can find John at GrowAHealthyChurch.com!
Enjoy!
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Today I encourage you to start a practice that will benefit you for the rest of your life. I'm still dipping into this project for encouraging feedback every couple months...
Enjoy!
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What if you modeled your feedback after the "one another" commands in the New Testament? So often people don't want to hear or receive feedback, but if we love them in the process, they can and will welcome it.
Marcus Buckingham shared some alternate turns of phrase we can use when sharing feedback with others - so that they are honored, affirmed, and still challenged.
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Let's be honest, I don't like feedback, and neither do you! We don't. We would love for everyone to just say that we did such a great job there is no possible room for improvement - and that would be a big, fat, juicy LIE!
So today I share with you four questions to ask and answer to get the best feedback possible. Feedback is both a necessary evil, AND, the breakfast of champions!
Enjoy!
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People don't like to tell their superiors bad news. Most followers don't want to be the bearer of bad news to their leaders. Heck, they didn't even tell the emperor that he had no clothes on!
As a pastor/leader, you need to hear the truth, and it could be hard for you to get it. So you have to have people in your life who will review your junk, and tell you the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Jeff saw the missed belt loop and wondered why the candidate's campaign manager fell down on the job...
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How often do you find yourself or others saying, "That's weird!"?
Do we react to weird, or do we respond with, "Tell me more!"?
This is a tiny piece of self-awareness that can really help us. Enjoy!
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Walter Brueggemann is the premier Old Testament scholar of the last 50 years in the United States. If you haven't heard of him, use Google, then YouTube... and eventually come back here to listen to the conversation my associate pastor, Jonny Craig, and I had with him a mere five years ago.
His words are prescient and more applicable today than they were then! This will be the only time I've ever shared this conversation since we first released it in 2017.
Are you ready to be challenged, and maybe even get mad? Are you ready to listen to what Brueggemann terms "the call of the pastor", and "our job"? This is a really, really helpful conversation.
The book he references is the one he had just finished, Money and Possessions in the Bible.
Enjoy!
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Tasha Eurich in her book, Insight, talks about "external self-awareness", understanding how other people see us.
This got me thinking about times when I was viewed or understood in an entirely different light that I would have thought. It's good for us to be able to see ourselves how others see us.
I share a couple of those times when others had to confront me...
(If you want to view a 17 minute crash course on self-awareness with Tasha Eurich, check out this TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGdsOXZpyWE&t=154s)
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Pastor, would you like to connect more deeply with your church family? Here's a simple daily ritual that can really help your relationships with the people in your church.
There's a catch... it will require you commit the first 15 minutes of your work day to it. But if you do, it will transform how your church sees you, and how they relate to you.
Check it out here on Episode 165...
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Here's a helpful mental hack for starting your day the best way possible - rested, refreshed, and ready to go!
They say ("they say" :-)) it's all about MINDSET these days. So here's a mindset shift that has helped me, and maybe it will you too. Let's see...
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What is it that fuels you for ministry Pastor? What is your "daily bread"? Some say that they don't want to serve God in the flesh, or out of the drive for power, popularity, or people pleasing.
Then what? What is your motive for serving God and from where do you derive empowerment and encouragement?
Henri Nouwen has some thoughts that I share in this episode...
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One of the greatest fears of a pastor is this: "What if my ministry has no significance? What if I am not significant? What if I am only a so-so pastor... ever?"
Pastor, today I explore the possibility of your significance arriving long after you're gone. This one is thought provoking! Enjoy.
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A personal message with a personal memory for Pastor Appreciation Month
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Pastor Aaron has, like you, had a wild ride in the past few years. But Aaron, unlike most of us, has six kids, had his church catch fire, and finished a graduate degree - all while leading a church and then managing the maelstrom of ministry in 2020.
Pastor Aaron is a wise leader, and I have benefited from a growing friendship with him. So I wanted to share some of that wisdom with you, and I know you'll be encouraged and inspired by this conversation, this pastoral coaching. Enjoy!
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Jeff asked N.T. Wright... basically... "what would Paul say to a pastor of a smaller church today? A pastor who wanted to be successful in his calling, and was concerned about growing his/her church?"
Wright's answer speaks to an understanding of "for we wrestle not against flesh and blood..." He knows where the fight is, and what victory looks like. He understands the basic disciplines that make up a "Rule of Life."
Check it out...
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Jeff continues to talk about the power you need to do ministry - not in your flesh, but in HIS mighty power.
He reviews the nine practices that make up a rule of life for the modern era, according to John Mark Comer at practicingtheway.org.
We simply must move away from doing ministry in the power of the flesh.
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We don't fight with our people (wrestle against flesh and blood). We are to be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power, to fight against the principalities and powers.
In order to have this power of God, we must live in communion with him, and that comes through...
a rule of life! Today I introduce the practices that form a rule of life. And in doing so I reference PracticingTheWay.org. Enjoy!
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We think we are serving in God's power, but if you had a gun to your head, would you say you're serving out of the power of Jesus Christ? Or your own power.
Pastors, I think this is a HUGE issue in our churches. We need the power of the LORD, not the power of a blog post, or the latest self-help book.
Where DO you get your power?
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Pastor, how do you get the ball down the field, and anywhere close to the end zone, when you have opposition, when you have opposers?
How do you get things done in church? How do you enact new programs and initiatives?
How do you create change?
That's what I'm going to talk with you about this week...
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Kay Warren joined me and my friend/colleague Jonny Craig to talk about mental illness, its presence and, unfortunately, stigma in the local church.
Rick and Kay Warren lost their youngest son, Matthew, to suicide almost ten years ago, and they have devoted their lives to helping others who struggle with mental illness.
You can see everything that Kay is doing in her quest to help others, right here: https://kaywarren.com/mentalhealthIn this Weekend Edition episode,Kay shares some very practical things you can do to help your church become more "mental illness literate."
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In Episodes 152-155 Jeff argues that there is ONE THING that he would ask his congregation to do, above everything else.
In Episode 156, he gives his closing argument.
This is our mandate, our charge to keep, to teach this to our people, and teach them to obey it...
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Love is candy, roses, Valentines, velvet, fluffy, soft, compromising, weakness, fall over, take-it-on-the-chin, anything goes Christianity.
No, not really.
Our culture trashes the meaning of love. They've lost it completely.
Here's my best shot at the meaning of truly biblical love...
This is the ONE THING I want my people to live out, more than ANYTHING else!
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Have you ever had an encounter with someone (in the church) where they weren't very loving toward you? Okay, actually, where there was ZERO love in your interaction with them?
I have.
Many times.
There's lots of reasons for that.
But we can't indulge it anymore.
No more church demons!
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Sometimes the most important, crucial truth - is also the most fundamental, the most elementary, the most basic.
The ONE thing I want my church to be known for, about everything else.
So it is with the ONE thing I want my church to be known for, to be about. It's not rocket science. It's not profound or transcendent.
But it is absolutely necessary, and before all else, primary and the #1 Priority.
In this episode I reveal what the ONE thing is I want all new members to do.
And for the record, I had FUN recording it! Enjoy!
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If you held a membership class, and could only tell your new members ONE thing - ONE thing that they absolutely had to do, had to keep in mind - ONE thing that if they stayed focused on that, everything else would take care of itself - what would that ONE thing be??
This week I want to talk to you about what is most important, most foundational.
I'm going to boil it down to the irreducible minimum, and encourage you to teach your new members that. It's what I do. I've been doing it for years. And all my new members know what it is.
Because it's ONE thing, they don't forget. It helps that I repeat it often. Here we go! Enjoy!
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Dave Jacobs from SmallChurchPastor.com joins me to talk about church growth - the things we've been told - and the things we should reconsider.
Dave's book, Second Thoughts - 100 Things Small Church Pastors Should Reconsider, is filled with encouragement for pastors of ordinary sized churches. We talk about only one, #75 - Reconsider what the church growth experts have told you.
Also, if you want to experience pastoral coaching, Dave is offering (4) four 45-minute coaching sessions for FREE. This is his gift and ministry to pastors. Four sessions with Dave will give you ample opportunity to discern whether having a pastoral coach is for you.
If you benefit, this could be something that your church helps you afford, even though Dave's coaching is way too cheap! I tell him he needs to raise the amount he charges pastors, but he wants to keep it affordable for small church pastors.
Email Dave at scpcoaching@gmail.com. Tell him Jeff sent you! He routinely offers one free 45-minute call, but for my listeners he's offering four! :-)
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Richard Foster wrote the book, Celebration of Discipline - The Path to Spiritual Growth, and Chapter 5 is The Discipline of Study. Wow. This is a great book.
So I snatched the best of the best in that chapter, and then lay out for you a 3-step process to attack that discipline of study. The 3rd step in the process is the $$$ step! Without it, you'll probably flame out. With it, you almost can't lose.
Enjoy, my friend!
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Jeff takes a metaphor from Adam Grant's book, Think Again - and challenges pastors to choose the Rethinking Cycle, instead of the Overconfidence Cycle.
Pastors are the spiritual thought leaders in the community, or should be, and must be open to the dynamic of life-long learning. It requires humility and, surprisingly, doubt! But you can do it, and Jeff unpacks how.
Pick up Grant's book, Think Again - The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know. You'll be glad you did.
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Hey Pastor,
How do you know you're right... about anything? Do you ever assume you're wrong? How do you learn, and gain more knowledge? Knowledge that actually is put to use and benefits you?
Do you know what Epistemology is? So, we talk about that a bit both today and tomorrow on Episode 150.
This episode will challenge your status quo... I promise! Enjoy!
Warmest Regards (and you're welcome!)
:-)
Jeff
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We hear it all the time, but we're steeped in it in our culture - instant gratification, quick satisfaction, right-now results. We do not want to wait.
In our quest for spiritual transformation, we can fall for the quick fix, the... silver bullet!
There is none. I talk about the reality of spiritual transformation today as we look at Richard Foster's Celebration of Discipline. What does it take for transformation to happen in the life of the pastor?
Enjoy!
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Richard Foster's book, Celebration of Discipline is a classic for the ages. Written 44 years ago with over 2 million copies sold... it is timeless!
Jeff reflects on Foster's words encouraging solitude and silence. We are a people bedeviled by noise and commotion. We are overwhelmed with messaging and advertising. We are inundated with information and opportunities.
Sometimes in order to either survive or thrive, we just have to shut it all down.
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Suzanne Vogel was in the middle of a capital campaign at her multisite church when Covid hit. Suddenly construction costs went through the roof. Over a million dollars given and millions more pledged. What does a pastor do in a situation like that?
Two and a half years later Pastor Suzanne is here to tell you the... rest of the story! Great leadership wisdom and insight is ahead for you on this episode. Enjoy!
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In this final episode on discipleship, Jeff provides resources for discipleship and offers some motivation to improve and move forward in this area of your ministry!
MultiplicationLeadNetDiscipleship
Exponential
Disciple/Shift BookReal Life Discipleship Book
Enjoy!
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What qualifies as discipleship in your church? Do you have a discipleship ministry? (trick question!)
Jeff talks about a way to look at discipleship in your church that will exponentially multiply how much discipleship happens in the lives of your church family.
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When does discipleship start and finish in the life of the follower of Jesus?
How should we think about discipling and discipleship in our church ministry?
Jeff continues on the mindset and philosophy of discipleship both in the pastor's life and in the church...
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Today I continue to develop the idea of a discipleship that is sustainable and continuous - and that works in the real world.
I really do believe that we make the idea and practice of discipleship much harder than it needs to be. Therefore, I try to envision a discipleship that is real, untangled, and organic.
I hope that this episode churns out of you some helpful thoughts and developments for your context!
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At the start of this new church year/school year, I ask you to think about your understanding of discipleship in your ministry context.
Spend the next few days with me thinking about what is and what is not discipleship. Is your church filled with disciples? Are they in the discipleship process? What is that process?
I think most of us make this way, WAY harder than it needs to be. Let's take a refreshing plunge into this topic and maybe we can all learn together and have some HOPE for a better tomorrow in this area of...
Discipleship.
Enjoy!
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Andrew Root joined me on the podcast today to talk about the most important things around being a pastor - one of which is helping our people imagine a Living God who comes, and loves, and acts.
We talk about social media and its role in our lives and ministry. We talk about writing, pastoring, and parenting - a short, but profound conversation that you will enjoy and be encouraged by!
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In the last in this series on preventing overwhelm and burnout, I share a principle made widely known by Andy Stanley about 20 years ago, which I think that if followed, may just be the most effective way to prevent them.
I have been trying to do this for twenty years, and I'll keep practicing it, because I still have a long way to go, but am more convinced of it than ever!
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When we want to combat stress, overwhelm, and burnout - probably our #1 super power and secret and weapon is sleep!
Jeff unpacks that on today's episode - because, it is so vitally important, and also the first thing we throw overboard when we get busy, much to our detriment! Enjoy!
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This week we are finding more and more ways to hold stress at bay - minimize overwhelm - and avoid burnout. Today Jeff will share two more ways to reduce stress - in a ministry context.
Defining issues, challenges, and problems, and actually taking real rest after seriously engaging your work - those are the two, and Jeff teases them out for you. Enjoy!
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The short title of this episode is: Making Progress Through Overwhelm! Sometimes we just need 2.5 yards per down to keep the ball moving down the field. That's hard for "all or nothing" people to do - they go for the "Hail Mary" pass trying to score in one play.
You make progress even when you're overwhelmed by doing the small things, the few things, sometimes the one thing - that just gets the ball moving, and then keeps it moving until it reaches the end zone.
Jeff gives you just a couple coaching tips to get moving forward even then you're overwhelmed...
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This week Jeff talks about HOW to reduce and minimize stress, overwhelm, and burnout in ministry. Today he coaches on accessing outside resources to develop a strategic plan for your church/ministry. That will greatly increase focus and clarity for you, and minimize ministry overwhelm.
Jeff references Dave Jacobs at SmallChurchPastor.com and Tony Morgan's Unstuck Group.
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Paul Golden from Clarks Summit University in Pennsylvania joins us. He's on staff at a college and seminary, and is the host of Post Game with Paul Golden. Paul grew up in a pastor's home, has served on staff his entire career at a Bible College and Seminary, and now has his own two kids in Bible College. Paul has a unique perspective on ministry and ministry training. You can find Paul at PaulGolden.org.
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Jeff has unpacked this week the causes of ministry stress for pastors.
- lack of a plan
- the unending workload
- incessant time demands
- poor boundaries between personal and ministry time
- too high of congregational expectations
- the lack of strong social support
- financial pressures
Jeff discusses the last couple stressors today, and next week we'll cover more ways to manage these stressors so you can live a peaceful and fulfilling life in spite of them!
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Jeff continues on the topic of mitigating the causes of stress for pastors in daily ministry.
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Jeff continues this week's discussion on the things that cause stress in the life of a pastor and how to overcome them. Specifically he talks about the overwhelm of a never ending workload, where a pastor's work is never really finished. How do we walk away at the end of a day and not take our ministry load home with us?
Some good ministry coaching on a mindset for a balanced view of life and ministry.
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Jeff talks about the things that cause stress in a pastor's life. Things like allowing your day to just happen to you, and entertaining the concept that your unlimited workload is never done.
He offers some suggestions for minimizing and mitigating the stress from these obvious life realities. This week is all about identifying the things that stress a pastor, and learning how to deal with them in a helpful way.
Enjoy!
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Let's face it, there's no way we can avoid stress in ministry... or LIFE for that matter! So I think it would be good for us to plan on it, and plan for it.
If we know we'll experience it, are experiencing it, and there's no avoiding it, we might at well plan for it and mitigate it, as best we can. Maybe we can even learn to leverage stress in ministry.
Today I'm open with you, and make a confession, then introduce the topic! Enjoy!
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Thom Rainer, from the Rainer On Leadership Podcast, and ChurchAnswers.com joins Jeff to talk about issues that pastors face today.
Thom is a research guy, a data guy, or as he says, "a data nerd", and shares a lot from the perspective of actual research data and not just anecdotal evidence.
Thom works with pastors almost every day, and is a wealth of information and coaching on this episode - which you will... enjoy! And, check out the links below! You're welcome.
Rainer On Leadership PodcastChurch Answers.comThom's book: I Am A Christian Become a Church Answers Member!
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Everybody needs it, nobody wants it, unless it's positive. But we absolutely need feedback on our messages, our sermons, if we are going to get better!
I can already hear your cries... "Touch not God's anointed!" Yeah, yeah, yeah, forget about it. We need to invite and steward the critique. Ken Blanchard quoted another guy when he said "Feedback is the breakfast of champions."
In Episode 131 I give you some coaching on how to get organic feedback from your local context. Do. It. You'll get better!
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There is something that we're doing in so many churches that I believe our people are paying the price for - in a lack of biblical understanding. Something we do, I think we should change, so that our people can grow healthier in their understanding of God's Word.
It would definitely be not a small culture shift in many churches, yet some churches never walked away from it...
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On Episode 127 we talked about having a preaching plan, a preaching schedule. Episode 128 dealt with 5 Considerations for preaching - things you should consider about yourself.
On Episode 129 I talk about considerations regarding the people you are preaching to.
If you work this through periodically, every 3-4 months, it will make you a much better preacher. Enjoy this episode - it was made just for you! :-)
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Yesterday, in episode 127, I talked to you about a preaching calendar. But today I want to talk with you about 4 considerations in preaching.
Preaching is more than constructing a sermon, or organizing our notes. Today I deal with considerations about YOU as a preacher of God's Word - a teacher, a communicator. Then tomorrow I'll talk with you about considerations regarding your hearers.
I'm in the thick of ministry with you Pastor, week in and week out. I pray that today's episode gives you both challenge and encouragement! Enjoy!
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Do you have a preaching plan for the next 10 months? For this coming school/church year?
If you do, maybe you need to build it out, add to it, insert some additional elements for creativity and to increase the effectiveness of your plan.
If you don't, you definitely should have a plan.
That's the topic for today - preaching plans. They are one of the best things I've ever utilized in my ministry admin and planning. Enjoy!
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Dan is a Chaplain in and Adult Care Facility in my community and a former pastor of 25 years. Dan talks with me about how we as pastors can best care for the people in our church family who are living in an Independent or Assisted Living Care Facility. He has some great insight in that area of ministry.
He also talks about his transition out of local church ministry, and what that looked like for him. Some real food for thought for us pastors who are currently serving in a local church.
Enjoy this weekend edition episode!
To register for the Coaching For Pastors Live An Extraordinary Life Webinar on Tuesday, August 16, 2022 - CLICK HERE! It's FREE. I hope you can join us!
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I sat down with Ted Lowe, Executive Director of MarriedPeople.org and MarriedPeopleChurches.org and he said something that has stuck with me for the last five years.
In today's episode I play two clips of our conversation and then drive my point home with you, which I know will not be lost on you! Marriage Ministry in our churches is so important and necessary - and me included - we ALL have to think more deeply about how we are ministering to married people in our churches and in our communities.
You're gonna like this episode... I guarantee it!
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Pastor, today I ask the question - "How long does it take us to make things right in our life?!" When something goes wrong, how long before we attend to it, to fix it and right the ship of our life?
General Motors took 12 years to decide to make things right with me... how long will it take us to decide to finally make progress on one of those retractable issues that plague our life?
Jeff and Dave Bush are going to talk about the Six Commitments we need to make to finally move forward in our life, focusing on our highest priorities and overcoming our greatest obstacles - all in the Live An Extraordinary Life Webinar for Pastors!
It's on August 16, 2022 at Noon Central Time - real easy to register for it right here.
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Jeff talks today about his thoughts on his upcoming message from John 15 - where Jesus teaches about Himself as the Vine, and us as the branches.
On August 10, 2020 - two years ago today - I bad storm hit his town and huge swath of the Midwest, leaving destruction in its wake. Jeff talks about that day, and how his memories connect to the meaning of John 15.
If pastors do not remain in the Vine... who will?
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It's funny how we pastors will preach life change all day to our people - YET... most Monday mornings we'll look in the mirror and think "I'm never going to change!" We believe so hard for other people, but in some areas of our own lives we're practical atheists - "God isn't going to help me change!"
Pastor, today I talk to you about believing you can leave the ordinary in the rear-view mirror, and what it really takes to realize that. There is an environment where real change happens so much more easily, and an environment where it rarely does.
Do you believe, my friend? If not why not? Today I challenge you TO believe, with an invitation to join me in the process. Enjoy!
To immediately sign up for the Coaching For Pastors Extraordinary Life Webinar on August 16 - CLICK HERE - even if you can't make it live, we will send you the recording of the Webinar.
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Today Jeff talks about his vacation, the upcoming Coaching For Pastors Webinar on August 16, the perfect summer day!
He also challenges us as pastors to join him for the first ever, Coaching For Pastors MasterMind this fall. This episode is a good start to a great week! Enjoy it!
To immediately register for the FREE Coaching For Pastors Extraordinary Life Webinar (even if you can't make it but can watch the recording) just CLICK HERE.
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Jeff continues his discussion on pastors and politics that he began yesterday, Friday August 5 on Episode 122.
While we are NOT in the heat of a presidential campaign season this is a good time to calmly think about such things! Saturday is a good day to clean the garage and listen to Coaching For Pastors... (or substitute any other "around the house" tasks!)
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Pastor, do politics, campaign-speak, and partisan talking points find their way into your weekend messages, social media posts, church emails, and personal conversations? Are you fixated on the news of the day, political issues, cable news networks, talk radio, and what's trending on Twitter?
I'm sorry if those questions get an affirmative reply from you. I'm sorry for you and for your church. And if you know at all, you know I'm not combative and never want to pick a fight... but I'm talking with pastors here, and I are one!
So this episode is my opinion for pastors - and I hope you'll give me a fair hearing. For the record, if you don't agree with me, I'll still love and respect you! That's the way us pastors roll... Enjoy!
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How many times have you entered into a message, a conversation, a confrontation, a Bible Study, a board or staff meeting - just certain of what you want to say, or what you want to accomplish - only to have fear suck the active ingredient right out of the entire situation?
You leave out the last 10%, you don't say everything you need to say, you forget to make the point, the actual application of the Bible truths you studied together - you let fear negotiate away your conviction, your leadership, or your opportunity.
Jeff talks today about his experiences with fear, and then offers a different idea, another perspective on how things might work...
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Wow - I have done a ton of funerals in my time as a pastor! I remember when I could count them on one hand, then two, then I lost track. I'm not a pastor who keeps detailed records of weddings and funerals. I could not tell you how many I've done. But I could go through my files and records and get reasonably close to the right number. But who cares?!
What I do care about is bringing hope to people in the crisis of grief and loss. I actually enjoy being the pastor in the scenario of a funeral, because I just instinctively know how to enter that space with compassion, empathy, and a message of love and hope.
In this episode I talk about some of my experiences at funerals I have done, and I read a letter that is very meaningful to me. A simple letter from a person nobody knows or remembers, but she remembered the love I gave to her and her family, and was kind enough to thank me for it.
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On Episode 117 I talked about taking a summer break and reseting yourself for the new church year. I said for me that looks like reoriented myself to the fundamentals of Fellowship with the Triune God, time spent in the Word of God, and intimacy with God through prayer.
On Episode 118 I connect what Peter talks about in 1 Peter 5 to all of this. Peter says, "Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care..." But he says more, and I unpack that in this episode.
Being a pastor is an inside job - it all happens in our hearts first. It's not like moving freight or running a machine. It is deeply personal and spiritual. That reality was top of mind to me as I recorded this episode. Enjoy!
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When I take my summer break I love to push the reset button. In fact, leaving town and getting away automatically does that for me.
For a couple decades we have taken off the end of July and the first part of August - and have traveled a couple days to the East Coast to visit family, and it has been a reset time for me.
Today I talk with you about some of the resetting that I do. I warn you, it's quite fundamental. Which I have found to often be the most profound for me! Enjoy!
Also, check out CoachingForPastors.org/MasterMind to listen to my 5-minute audio about a fall Mastermind group, and to register for the FREE webinar I am doing on August 16...
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Chuck Fenwick is the lead pastor at the New Haven United Methodist Church in New Haven IN. Chuck has served at this church for 12 years and has a lot of fun and practical ministry stuff to talk about!
My favorite topics with him are his approach to sermon prep and delivery, and his philosophy regarding live-streaming versus pre-recorded weekend content. You will enjoy this and your imagination will be sparked for what you might do in your local ministry context!
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Are you ready to GO ALL IN??!!
Yeah, me neither. I hate the hype of self improvement. I really do think the tortoise beats the hare in the race. In this episode I talk about the way we really live, as pastors.
Plus, the context of this episode is that I have lost 65 pounds in the last 5+ months. That sounds like "all in" or "radical", but it's really been one disciplined day after another. No BIG victories, until you start stringing a lot of individual days and choices together... inch by inch.
Happy Friday! Enjoy...
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Jesus talks about how the Father wants us to produce fruit - fruit that will last. I often wonder, How much of what I am doing is going to stand the test of time? When our works are exposed to the test, how much of them will be wood, hay, and stubble, and how much of what we do will last for all eternity?
I want to produce fruit that doesn't end up with the eBay people some day. And, spiritual fruit that will last for all eternity...
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We put a lot of importance on family, and often spend a ton of time catering to family needs. As ministry leaders we sometimes speak about that almost apologetically. Yet, when Jesus taught his disciples to talk to God, he insisted they address him as "father" - family.
Many church growth experts insist our churches are organizations that need strategy, vision, and structure - and of course there is truth to that. But BEFORE that, we are a body, we are one, and we are a family.
I talk today about how an hour with my grandson gave me a deeper appreciation for God. The theologian learns from the 5-year old!
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Boy oh boy! Pastors like me need to hear this message! Communication is more about listening than speaking.
I saw that message in a chapter title recently and this episode was immediately born in my heart. I have been, and need to continue, learning how to listen to my people. I am realizing how much that listening is connecting me to their lives, and connecting me to my messages in a different way as well.
I hope this is encouraging and helpful for you Pastor! Enjoy!
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President Nixon infamously created an "Enemies" list, whereby he would punish those in the media and Administration that spoke poorly of him or his policies. These were the people he wanted blackballed, held at arm's length, prevented from obtaining interviews, etc.
Sometimes we as pastors, with the best of intentions, can lose our way, and create our own pastoral "Enemies" list. Today I talk with you about what to do when we are tempted to deliver retribution or revenge, or when we just want to get a little even.
It's handy to be able to see what Paul wrote to Timothy about such things...
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Jonny Craig and I recorded with Ken Shigematsu, the author of God In My Everything - How An Ancient Rhythm Helps Busy People Enjoy God. As pastors, we are often harried and busy, and serving out of our scarcity of time and energy and passion.
Ken talks with us about time he has spent in monasteries, learning from the monks the ancient rhythms of life, and how he has established his own "rule of life" that guides him in his pursuit of spiritual intimacy and growth with God.
Ken is a contemplative, reflective pastor, and he has some wonderful inspiration for us in this conversation. Enjoy! (and do a little yard work while you listen, you'll learn more!) :-)
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Jeff provides a little deeper dive into the best practices he talked about yesterday, also explaining the significance of taking the time and energy to keep yourself healthy, with margin, and a sane approach to your work.
A great benefit we have today is that there is a tutorial video on YouTube for almost anything, and especially for ever app that's out there. Utilize that library of teaching as it relates to apps that systematize your life help you with work/life balance and sanity.
Enjoy!
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Jeff shares some really practical ways to keep your sanity in ministry regarding your schedule and communication with, and availability to, people. We must care for ourselves or we won't be healthy enough to care for our people. Enjoy!
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Nobody warned me about one of the most painful tasks of parenting. It hit me and my wife like a tidal wave! We were crushed.
In that moment I had to assess whether or not my parenting had measured up, even to my minimum acceptable requirements. I hoped it had, but I wouldn't be sure for, not positive anyway, for years.
Today I talk about parenting in a pastor's family. Parenting before it's too late and we no longer have those day to day interactions. Enjoy! I know you will...
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Jesus employed the best kept leadership secret, but he practiced it out in the open. I'm saying it's a secret, but you won't be surprised by it... but, you BETTER be impressed with it! It is quite impressive.
Jesus was who he said he was, the Son of God, and God the Son. He led with impeccable precision and unwavering aplomb. His secret is something we can work on in our own leadership, and the better we get at modeling Jesus' way of leadership, the better leaders we will be!
Enjoy my friend! This was recorded for you with a deep passion and conviction that what YOU do matters... a great deal! Thank you for being a pastor to your people!
Register Today for the Coaching For Pastors Live An Extraordinary Life Webinar Masterclass on August 16, 2022 at Noon Central Time LIVE on Zoom.
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The spiritual life of a pastor - requires a healthy dose of humility! Humility comes in all shapes and sizes - and Jeff talks about humility today.
Humility comes from talking to both the rich and the poor - and noticing the people who are right in front of us... Jeff explains. Enjoy!
Register Today for the Coaching For Pastors Live An Extraordinary Life Webinar Masterclass on August 16, 2022 at Noon Central Time LIVE on Zoom.
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Understanding how to lead people who, because of past trauma of varying degrees may unexpectedly react badly to our leadership, is an art, not a science.
In this Weekend Edition Jeff talks with Dave Jacobs about dealing with just those types of situations with people. Dave finishes the episode with a great offer for our listeners - don't miss it!
Contact Dave through email at scpcoach@gmail.com.
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Jeff gives an update on his second round of weight loss and healthy living in the past less than four years. After losing 80 pounds (2018-19), then gaining 90 pounds back (2020-21) - one could get discouraged! And he did.
But listen today to his update on his second go around at it - this time with some wisdom and experience, and more commitment than ever to make it stick! If he can do it, then...
YES YOU CAN too!
If you need some encouragement or just want to bounce your story off his, reach out to him at jeff@coachingforpastors.org - he'd love to talk with you!
Enjoy!
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What do you get paid to do?
What is a WIN for you at your church and in your ministry?
What do you want to be true at the end of a month of work, or a quarter, or a year?
Do you get paid to put in hours, or produce outcomes?
Jeff asks some of these questions and then gives his thoughts on tracking hours as a pastor. Enjoy!
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Hi Pastor! My kids are 34, 32, 29, and 24 - that's 119 parenting years my wife and I have shared in together! The other day I started to think about What is true about parenting relationships that stand the test of time?
Today we have great relationships with all four of our children, praise God! In this episode I share 9 relationship qualities that have helped us build relationships that have stood the test of time... or at least of 34, 32, 29, and 24 years worth!
Enjoy!
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We hear it all the time - What's your why? If you lose your why you'll lose your way. Begin with the why in mind.
Then I was sitting at my desk and looked down and say the book by Simon Sinek, START WITH WHY. And I thought, yeah, I know my why. I know why I am a pastor, and why I think the way I do about church, people, and ministry.
Do you? What drives you? What's your why?
Jeff challenges pastors today, but also significantly affirms them too! Enjoy!
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Jeff talks about the distinction between devotions and message prep. In the past he did not draw a huge distinction, and in fact encouraged combining them - but today he takes a little different direction. Enjoy!
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Lee is a Pastor to pastors. Retired after more than 40 years of ministry, he is uncharacteristically open and transparent about his ministry years, his strengths and weaknesses, his victories and mistakes.
You will find yourself realizing... "I'm not alone, or unusual! Lee has struggles just like I have." You can connect with Lee personally at LeeEclov.com, where you can find all things Lee!
This was a pleasure to record and to edit - to listen again to wisdom from years of ministry, and reflect on my own ministry journey in light of Lee's stories.
There you go my friend, just another great resource and support for you at LeeEclov.com - and, you're welcome! :-)
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As we end this week's topic of PRIORITIES, Jeff thinks out loud about "How we prioritize the wise input of others into our lives?" Do we tap into the wisdom and knowledge of others, or are we the only ones filling our own tanks?
If we don't access the wisdom and understanding of others, the reservoir of our knowledge is going to dry up rather quickly! We must make it a priority to receive from others, and to put ourselves in a position where we can receive wisdom, knowledge, information, inspiration, and insight from them.
Jeff unpacks all these thoughts and questions... enjoy!
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Today Jeff talks about prioritizing investments - not financial investments, but investing in other people. We can accomplish many tasks, build buildings and products, and grow organizations, but it will be our investments in people that will ultimately be our legacy.
In episode 100 Jeff talks personally about the investments that he and his Dad made in each other, and a little about how that all ended. Today, long after his Dad is gone, the investments he made in Jeff are still paying off.
Who are YOU investing into these days?
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Time is a non-renewable asset. Like sand through the hourglass, the time of our lives slips inexorably away, never to be seen again. The minute we waste we never get back.
We live in an inordinately time-conscious society - so how can we think about time, wisely, without stressing out over it? Jeff thinks out loud with you about time - do you really want to listen though? After all, it's 8 minutes you'll never get back! :-)
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We've all heard it before... if I don't prioritize my life, everyone else will do it for me - according to their own priorities. But alas it is true! And it will happen EVERY time.
Today Jeff talks about priorities as a pastor, and summertime is a good time to reconsider our schedule, priorities, and disciplines,.
This week is all about priorities - family, church, ministry, relationships, causes, hobbies, education, rest, etc. Enjoy!
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In this episode Jeff and Dave Bush wrap up the 7-episode series, Live An Extraordinary Life!
Today's sixth commitment is Resolve To Achieve Your Goals. Thinking is not achieving, and the best intentions do absolutely nothing without follow-through. What does it take to actually bring a dream to reality?
Jeff announces two important things in this episode:
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August 16 - Jeff and Dave Bush are going to co-lead a Webinar Masterclass called Dare To Dream. Be looking for more information on how to register for that webinar. We will be sharing some great bonuses for those who are actually "in the room" (ZOOM Room!) for that webinar, so be sure to register when you receive the link!
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At the end of the summer, we will begin the very first Coaching For Pastors Mastermind. It will be capped at 15 pastors, and some have already emailed me their interest in it. I will be sharing all the information on that at http://www.coachingforpastors.org/mastermind.
Enjoy this special episode with Dave, and I'll talk with you again on Monday!
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In this episode I share a memory of the first time I got ONE of these! I'd never had one before, and I was thrilled to get it. I've since gotten hundreds of them, but you never forget your first one!
Commitment #5 that Dave Bush talks to us about is Expand Your Perspective. We can never cease to learn and grow, and development ourselves as people, pastors, and leaders. If we are to ever live an extraordinary life, we have to keep pedaling, stop coasting, and remain consistent in expanding our perspectives!
Enjoy!
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In this episode, Dave made the following statement, that I thought was the MONEY line:
"Fear has killed a lot more dreams than failure ever will." So true! Fear keeps us from failure, so that's good right? Yeah, except that fear also keeps us from... you guessed it... success!
Failing forward, as I describe, is failing, then assessing the failure, learning from it, adjusting for the future, and not giving up! Dave has another take on failure that I'll let him share with you...
Enjoy!
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Dave Bush joins me to talk about the hard choices we all have to make to move our lives our of "ordinary" and into extraordinary! In this episode he uses nutrition as an example, but we will have to make hard choices in every area of our lives if we truly want to live extraordinary lives!
Enjoy! This is for YOU.
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When we were kids, we had all kinds of dreams! We dreamt of flying, running faster than a train, knowing all the answers to every test, being a pro-whatever sports player, etc. When we entered ministry we dreamt of building a megachurch.
Do you dream anymore? What is your dream for you life? Not ministry, just your life? Jeff and Dave Bush talk about dreaming, not losing the power to dream, and discovering what your dream might be...
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This is part 1 of 6 with Dave Bush as we explore how to live an Extraordinary Life! Today's commitment is to LIVE YOUR CALLING. Are you doing what God has called you to do in the world?
What does it look like when we do? And, why would we continue to do anything else?
Enjoy!
Get Dave's Book - LIVE AN EXTRAORDINARY LIFE here!
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Pastor, you would like to grow and change, but it seems like you're mostly spinning your wheels. You listen to podcasts like this one, watch webinars and online conferences, attend conferences and trainings, maybe take an online course or two, or subscribe to Audible to listen to books.
But, you forget what you've heard or watched within the week. It's all good while it lasts, but then it's like water under the bridge, and it's gone.
Today I want you to meet my coach, David Bush. David is a peak performance coach, life coach, business coach, and health coach. I want you to hear his story and get to know him, because he will be joining us next week for episodes 93-97 and Weekend Edition 13!
Plus, in this episode - I have a lot to say to you before and after. Thanks for joining us today!
I've titled this - How To Turn Dreams Into Reality, because that's exactly what we're going to do... in the end!
If you're interested in being a part of the very first Coaching For Pastors Cohort, listen to episode 87, and email me your interest at jeff@coachingforpastors.org.
Enjoy!
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Politics, Race, Economy, Pandemic, Gas Prices, Polarization, Crime, Guns, Drugs, Pornography, Alcoholism, Pills... shall I go on? All this plus church change, imploding pastors, churches, and ministries - and we can easily get discouraged!
You've been discouraged, confused, and frustrated at times over the past two years. I wanted to share with you how I handle the discouragement and stress of trying to love, teach, and shepherd a spiritual group of people in this culture. There are a couple approaches I take to stay sane and I share them with you in this episode. Enjoy!
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We had spent months crafting a vision for our church. As a mission team we had prayed and did the hard work as a group to collaborate together to come up with something that made sense, evoked passion, called out mission, and was true to the biblical vision of a church.
The night came when we would roll out the vision. We had materials, powerpoint, and a 42 page vision book. We presented to about 20-25 of the key leaders in our church. My leadership failed that night, and in the coming days and weeks. Here's what happened...
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Jeff talks about https://www.multiplication.org and https://www.exponential.org - Two great resources for pastors, if you haven't heard of them. Search for "exponential learning community" and see what Jeff was able to participate in during 2020-2021. His event cities were Kansas City MO, Indianapolis IN, and Nashville TN.
It was through being a part of this Exponential Learning Community that he learned about the great ministry of Exponential. Check it out and the myriad resources they offer to pastors and ministry leaders. It's way to valuable a resource to miss!
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It's summertime and you might have some margin to gather a group together to work ON the business instead of IN the business. Maybe Kid's and Youth Ministries as quieter in terms of programming this summer, or your volunteers might get some team time to reflect, process, or plan -- and you get the chance to have a brainstorming session, or an assessment discussion - what kinds of questions can you ask your most senior leaders in every area of your church?
Jeff shares some great questions for group discussion, idea generation, and focus improvement. Enjoy Episode 89! These are questions that Leaders In Ministry Ask!
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Jesus' life would not be considered successful or fulfilling by any human standards. He died young, never married, no kids, no fortune, no following when he died, disgraced and humiliated.
Before his death, he spent several hours in an upper room with his few disciples teaching them for what would be his last opportunity. They call it the upper room discourse, or the farewell discourse. In John 13 Jesus does an extraordinarily uncommon thing, in breach and break of all social protocol. He washes his followers' feet.
Then he teaches them something that all of us as pastors need so badly to heed. Humble service. As Jeff speaks about the spiritual life of a pastor, he recalls the scene...
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Josh and I talk about leaving behind disappointment and learning to dream again, which is actually the subtitle of his book. Josh Gagnon is the lead pastor of Next Level Church, a multi-site church in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Florida.
Josh wrote his book, It's Not Over - Leaving Behind Disappointment and Learning to Dream Again, and released it just weeks before COVID closed all our churches. Josh's words and message are prescient and timely for us today - especially in connection with Episode 87 of this podcast as we look forward to forming the very first Coaching For Pastors cohort group and explore together how to live an extraordinary life.
You are going to enjoy this episode! It was recorded and edited with love for you and your ministry!
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Ever feel like you need to somehow get to the next level in your life, but don't know how? You have church peeps and friends but not anyone who is challenging you and pushing you in a healthy way to grow and seriously better yourself.
Ever think, "I need to stop coasting and set sail on a serious goal or mission"? This episode just might be for you - if...
- you are motivated
- you have a positive attitude
- you are ready
- you want more
- you want real, not junky hype
Listen, and see if you are picking up what Jeff is laying down...
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There has been a need for innovation in the area of preaching for many years. It's long past due for us to take a serious look at it. So many older (over 40) pastors simply assuage the masses in their church (even if it's only dozens) and simply stand and give a Bible speech each week.
Too often these speeches contain no follow-up, no application, no discussion, no opportunity for questions, and no impact. We need the GenZ and Millennial generations to lead the church out of this often fruitless endeavor. In Episode 86 I ask some questions around the practice of preaching in our churches. I am hoping the twenty and thirty somethings have answers!
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Sometimes in ministry leadership someone, it seems, way overreacts to something we say or do - and we do not know why! "What in the world just happened?!" we say to ourselves. But we are unaware of the systems in the church, and the buttons we might have just inadvertently pushed.
In their book, Leading Congregational Change, Herrington, Bonem, and Furr talk about how everything in a church system is interrelated and connected to everything else, so when we tap on this piece over here, that piece across the room moves too. How can we attempt to lead congregational change in a way that minimizes the potential explosions and broken things in the end? This is what Jeff talks about today.
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On Leadership Tuesday, Jeff talks about the difference between a shepherd and organizational leader. Which one are you? Neither is right or wrong, but our wiring and gifting usually drives us toward one more than the other.
Either way you go, there are challenges. How we confront and deal with the challenges determines the effectiveness of our ministry. You are doing a great work Pastor! Never compare or contrast yourself with another pastor - there is always despair when we compare. God has created and called you to pastor your church, with your unique strengths and gifts. Delegate other people equipped to do what you aren't good at. Enjoy this episode!
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We get caught up in our culture of doing more, moving faster and further, achieving, and acquiring... and sometimes we forget about rest, replenishment, renewal, refreshment, recreation, and sabbath.
Jeff speaks about Sabbath and disrupting our current way of doing things in order to produce a different result. Plus, a quick clip from Ken Shigematsu always helps!
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My friend Rob Douglas told me, last September, that I should read the book, Spiritual Multiplication in the Real World - Why some disciplemakers reproduce when others fail, by Bob McNabb.
I bought it, read it, shared it with my elders, had many discussions on the book in our elder meetings, and then led a disciplemaking team through the book and workbook this calendar year of 2022. And then...
Brought Bob McNabb into our conference room via Zoom to talk with my XD (multiplying disciples) Group, and recorded audio with him for this episode of Coaching For Pastors. You're welcome. :-) Like the old Burger King jingle... "I do it all... for you!"
This is a fantastic MasterClass on "How to increase the effectiveness of disciplemaking in your church." I hope that you enjoy it and that you get the book and workbook and go through it with people and leaders in your local church.
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I had some pretty big defining moments in the summer of '92, the summer of '02, January 2010, Fall of 2014, the summer of 2017, etc. These were times where some defining moments in my life changed the course and direction of my entire life!
But, I had to make a decision to step into each one of them. At every juncture, I could have sidestepped those moments, and at every one of them, I was looking for what God was calling me to do. I was open, willing, scared to death, but wondering at the possibilities.
Maybe summer 2022 holds your defining moment? You think? That's what I talk about today in Episode 82...
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You have things from your past that are limiting your success in the present. Your perspective must change as you replace faulty thinking with God's truth. What fears, hangups, limiting beliefs, or wrong assumptions have you been hanging onto that you need to jettison and replace with God's truth?
Jeff will challenge you to replace bad thinking, fears, and failure with biblical truth, courage, and a winning attitude.
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Your kids will view the church through the lens of your parenting, and the "caught" experience they receive from you. How are you doing in your relationship to the church you lead, and how are your kids experiencing it because they are in your family?
You want your kids to love the Lord, love his church, and be an active part of a healthy church family. Jeff talks with you today about how you living out your calling will impact that.
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Martin Luther King Jr.'s iconic "I have a Dream" speech rings down through the ages with its clarion call for justice and equality. King had a dream that was so contagious - and so many others caught his dream as theirs. It is still being fulfilled and dreamed today as many fight for justice and equality for not just African Americans, but many other people of color.
Whatever your impulse or reaction to my words already... my question for you is: "What is your dream? Do you have one?" That's the topic of this day on the podcast - today - my 36th wedding anniversary. (I had to say it somewhere!) Enjoy!
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Bronnie Ware, an Australian nurse, wrote a blog post on The Top Five Regrets of the Dying. It's quite sobering, and if you're like me you'll find a little of yourself in each regret. Today I talk you through them, from a pastor's point of view.
My goal is that you will connect with at least one, maybe two, and begin to turn things around just enough that you can go from regret to rejoice! This is simply good food for thought! Bronnie's post went viral, and she ended up writing a book called The Top Five Regrets of the Dying - A life transformed by the dearly departed.
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Zach Zehnder's story of calling into ministry, and the twists and turns around it, are inspiring! God used a need in Zach's ministry to birth a Kingdom business in his and his wife's hearts that moved them from Florida to Nebraska. This is Zach's story of his quest to disciples God' people.
Jeff and Zach did not know each other and do not come from the same denomination. They met in a cohort within Carey Nieuwhof's Art of Leadership Academy, and of course, Jeff invited him onto the podcast. Enjoy!
Find Zach at RedLetterChallenge.com!Get a free 40 Day Challenge book here!
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John Mark Comer has written a wonderful book that I absolutely love called: The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry. After hearing so many rave about it, I recently ordered it for myself and today I want to share with you the 20 ways that Comer gives us to practically eliminate hurry from our lives... ruthlessly!
I hope that these 20 suggestions from Comer strike a chord in your heart and encourage you to 1) BUY THE BOOK, 2) Adopt some of these suggestions and slow your life down, calm your life down, and enjoy life more deeply and fully.
All the credit for today's episode goes to John Mark Comer! Order his book HERE!
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A chance encounter at the grocery store ignited a new friendship for Jeff that he admits he needed. This is the story of a pastor who reached out and connected in a significant way to both be encouraged as well as to encourage!
Maybe you're just like Jeff today - maybe you need a friend and you don't even realize it! Listen to Jeff tell this story, and maybe you can be the pastor who reaches out to another one in your community, and it will be just the right time for them, like it was for Jeff.
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It many times is the smallest of gestures that makes the biggest difference! Pastors have the opportunity everyday to make a difference in the lives of families in their church or community. Jeff shares some memories of life changing moments when a pastor made a difference and influenced his life.
Jeff's challenge to us today is "Whose life will we impact for Jesus?"
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Leadership. What good is it in the church?! To build buildings? Draw crowds? Raise money? Save souls? Develop Leaders? I suppose those are all parts of a good thing. But I believe leadership vision creates. Then, the question is... What does it create?
It's Tuesday and I talk about leadership and leaders and leadership development on Tuesdays - and today I want to talk with you about the kind of a place leadership vision creates. I hope this episode encourages you on your leadership journey today!
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Jeff saw a graphic over the weekend that reminded him of prayer, and got him thinking about how he first started out in prayer at 10 years old. Then he thought about being 18, and then 42, etc.
Prayer. The purpose and power of the pastor. But when we are professional pastors sometimes prayer becomes rote and robotic. Furtick mentioned bent knees and got Jeff thinking... in a great direction. Enjoy!
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Jeff sits down with David Fitch, PhD from Northern Seminary in Chicago. David is a professor of Theology, Culture, and Ethics at the Seminary. They talk about the questions you've had for several years now, like 1) How do I interact with people who are in same-sex relationships? 2) How can I be true to Scripture and love people well? and 3) How should I think and lead in light of the massive cultural shifts in sexuality, marriage, and gender in recent years?
This conversation just scratches the surface, but it's a great start on these topics! If you want to listen to David more, catch him on the Theology on Mission Podcast with Mike Moore. Check out Northern Seminary at Seminary.edu.
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Jeff challenges pastors who may have given up home on their health and fitness every improving. Jeff is the poster pastor for someone who was able to turn around his health and fitness after weighing in at the highest weight of his life at both age 56 and 59. His message is "Never give up!"
Keep hope alive that your health and fitness can absolutely improve. Jeff shares more of his story and health journey. If you would like to talk more with Jeff about your health journey, reach out to him at jeff@coachingforpastors.org. Pastors who struggle with weight and fitness need other pastors to talk to!
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Dr. David Fitch is a professor of Theology, Culture, and Sexual Ethics at Northern Seminary in Chicago IL. Jeff talks with Fitch about same sex marriage, sexual attraction and desire, and our sexualized society that presents both women and men as objects of lust and desire and not as people created in the image and beauty of God.
How can pastors lead, preach, and counsel in such a culture? What do we say, how do we lead, and how do we think about our roles in an increasingly secular and sexualized culture. Fitch attacks all these questions and more on Saturday, May 28 in the Weekend Edition...
THIS EPISODE is a preview of the upcoming weekend edition with David Fitch!
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Either you are improving your marriage or it is at best stagnant. Are you and your spouse at the helm, steering the ship of matrimony in a positive and growing direction, or are you adrift in the marriage sea?
Jeff challenges you to take charge of the growth and development of your relationship. If you think you don't need this episode because you're "all good", you absolutely are the one who needs it! :-)
Enjoy!
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Who are we leading people to? Or to whom are we leading them? Do we want them to become good church goers, ethical and gracious people, proper church attenders, or followers of Jesus?
Jeff talks about discipleship.
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When you're bored, lacking purpose or mission - that's a great time for us to engage in and indulge in our vices. Without intentionality and purpose, we can move toward over eating, over drinking, shopping, drugs, alcohol, porn use, illicit relationships, etc.
Research shows that being on mission with a clear life purpose keeps us away from the edges and fringes of life - and helps us to desire to walk the straight and narrow. In anticipation of a larger discussion on Saturday, May 28th's Weekend Edition, Jeff talks about porn use and purpose, or a lack of it!
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Ever wonder what it would take to get your ministry organized and on track in your church? To get your ministry leaders and staff on the same page? To have a team that does the work of the ministry, and you equip and train them? Rob Storey shares how to accomplish those things and more in this episode!
Rob Storey was a 20 year Helicopter pilot in the U.S. Air Force, then a lead pastor in Colorado, and finally a District Superintendent in his denomination in Colorado, Nebraska, Missouri, Kansas, and Iowa.
Rob is retiring and returning to Grand Junction CO to spend more time with seven kids and 18 grandchildren! Rob shares his perspectives on pastors, churches, lay leaders, and how they can work together to produce a healthy and growing church. He experienced that in his 15 years of ministry in one church, and you will learn much from this conversation with him at his office in Omaha.
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If sitting really is the new smoking, then what is the cost of sitting? Jeff shares some data on what the cost is from sitting all day in a sedentary lifestyle. Too many pastors live sedentary lives. That's bad (as me and my kids say).
Jeff shares the info, then some suggestions on how to make things better for YOU.
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Did you know that weekly, rote, processes and programs do not bond believers? They lull them into ruts, but they do not deepen relationships. Unique, shared experiences bond believers together. That's the perspective Jeff talks about today! Enjoy.
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How do you create rules for technology in your home? What? You don't?! You just let your kids do whatever they want with their cellphones, laptops, and tablets?
You're kidding right? Of course you are... On Episode 65 Jeff talks about how to create a "Rule of Technology" in your home. Tech is one of the most dangerous realities in most of our homes. The free flow of the world's media and messages should not go unchecked or unregulated in our kids' lives.
Jeff gives you 8 ideas around creating guidelines for technology in your home, and with your kids. Enjoy! And, check out OPENDNS. It's a free filtering software you can set up on your homes WiFi Router so that you can filter the Internet straight at its source, and protect your kids and everyone else who taps into your WiFi.
If you can't figure it out, invite your geek friend over to set it up for you. Totally FREE. #notasponsor :-)
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Healthy pastors are healthy because they take action when it is needed - as soon as it is needed. They are humble and are not afraid to admit a fault or sin. They know they can't be a lone ranger and need others to help them in both their life and their ministry.
Pastors who take the necessary action at the right time to get help, are often the healthiest pastors. When we are struggling and failing, but keep our sins and fears to ourselves, we set ourselves up for failure. Health pastors take action! What action do you need to take today?
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Many pastors view porn. It is a tragic reality. It is a weapon Satan uses to hobble the people of God and the servants of God. Do you view porn? I'm not saying you're addicted or anything - I'm just asking if you view it? Regularly? Real regularly? Frequently or infrequently? Too much? Just enough? Maybe a little? Etc. Etc. You see my point. Porn rots our souls.
Of course, our threshold for porn is much higher now than it used to be. So much of what is considered normal viewing would have been considered pornographic forty years ago.
There is HOPE. Today I want to give you a simple, yet serious solution on how to begin the process of crawling out of a porn addiction. It's not easy. But it is doable! You can do it. It's not rocket science, but you have to take a few steps. Here we go...
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Mozart Dixon is the Directer of Church Planting and Multiplication for the Metropolitan District of the Christian and Missionary Alliance. This district covers the NYC area, New Jersey, and Metro Philadelphia.
Moe led a church plant in Nebraska that had 1,000 in attendance after the first three years. Now he is in the urban area of New York and New Jersey and experiencing something altogether different.
Moe offers great perspective and encouragement to pastors and church planters as he tells his story - the good, the bad, the challenging, and just a little ugly! Enjoy!
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Jeff has a chill sit down talk with pastors today about their health, and about what exactly the 6 Microhabits of Health are! How are you doing with your health and fitness pastor? Are there areas that need attention?
The time is not moving any more slowly - it seems like everything in life is moving at breakneck speed, and this episode is a friendly reminder to think about the important things of life. Enjoy!
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Jeff speaks with New Testament scholar and theologian NT Wright and asks the question: "Based on your understanding and study of Paul, what would the Apostle Paul have to say to young pastors who are anxious to get an audience and develop a platform on social media?"
His answer is revealing and encouraging! Enjoy!
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Ministry couples are not immune to marriage issues! There are regular revelations about divorce and separation among ministry couples. As with any married couple, this is sad. So how about if we ask each other right now - "How are you doing in your marriage?"
In Episode 60 Jeff blurts out a bunch of possible marriage problem scenarios - and then offers some strategies, serious ones, about how to strengthen your marriage.
If you are having challenges and need help - reach out - save your marriage - don't wait!
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It's like a broken record when episode after episode I and our guests tell pastors that they need to find a safe person that they can talk with, confess to, and grow with. But it's true! We do not grow in isolation. Have you ever seen a great garden with just ONE plant?! Of course not! Ridiculous!
Jeff quotes The Power of Mentoring by Martin Sanders and again challenges you to take your spiritual and emotional health to the next level!
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There's something about YOU that you wish you could share with someone. It's a secret. The longer it remains hidden the bigger it grows in your mind, your heart, and the more guilt you feel. Unless, of course, you have a safe place to confess, to share your junk, and to receive some healing.
Do you have a safe place Pastor? Do you have that friend you can confide in, confess to, and ask for help and prayer? Today Jeff and John Lynch talk about the healing you need if you don't. Enjoy!
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On this weekend's Weekend Edition I've invited not only Dan Reiland but also my longtime podcast partner, Jonny Craig! So it's a Double-Header today! Dan talks to us about his new devotional book for pastors and church leaders titled: Leadership Alone Isn't Enough - 40 Devotions to Strengthen Your Soul. He also tells us why this is a very unique and one-of-a-kind devotional book designed especially for leaders in ministry.
You can get his book here! Also, if you are one of the first two to tweet @coach4pastors with the hashtag #iwantdansbook we have two to give away. You can catch Dan at DanReiland.com and all of the 200churches Podcast episodes where he appears RIGHT HERE.
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Sometimes life doesn't always go as planned. I've always told my kids, "when you fail, get up, and try, try again!" I had to practice exactly what I've preached to them over the years. I am praying that my story will encourage you to not lose hope, to not give up.
If you've failed in an area of your life or ministry - get up! Straighten your clothes and fix your hair (if you have any left worth fixing) and try, try again. You are worth it, God deserves it, and your people need it.
I think it was Zig Ziglar who said, I never fail, I only learn. I either win or I learn. I've been learning a lot these days...
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What is your mission as a church, and, are you moving in the direction of your mission? Churches left to themselves will drift toward that inevitable inward focus. They will ask "what is good for us, for OUR church?" They will forget about the lost in their community and around the world.
So what is your church's mission Pastor? And are you leading them in a hot pursuit of it? Jeff references Rob's episode from this past Saturday where he described leadership to be like "pushing a boulder up hill." Jeff encourages you in this short episode to not give up, and to keep your shoulder against your mission boulder!
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On Wednesdays Jeff coaches pastors on the topic of family. Today he redirects us toward thinking about our kids. Sometimes the roll of ministry gets our focus diverted from our family just a tiny, teeny bit - and if that's you today, Jeff communicates an idea that maybe, just maybe your kids might need a little bit more of your attention. Even though his kids are married adults, he said he still needs to give them attention, time, conversation, etc. Enjoy today's challenge!
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My daughter had just graduated from college with a BS in Nursing Degree. I believed it was time for me to return - for an M.Div. Was I crazy? Or, was this something I should do? Was it a worthy investment of my time, energy, and finances?
What I finally decided would completely change my life!
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My back was against the wall. It was the worst day of my life. We got the call no parent wants to get - our son had been in a terrible automobile accident and was on life support. In this episode I talk about what I learned about prayer in the most painful crucible of my life.
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Rob Tarnoviski is the Lead Pastor at Bethel Church Philadelphia Mills in beautiful Northeast Philadelphia. He has been pastor there since Easter Sunday of 1996 - 26 years!
Rob's heart beats for the mission of Jesus - to seek and save the lost. This is a Masterclass of inspiration to lead your church to share the same Gospel passion that Rob has, and the same Gospel mission that Jesus had!
Jeff and Rob talk about why most churches are not attractive to lost people, and what they can do about it. Rob is in Northeast Philly and Jeff is in Des Moines IA. You might need to take the rest of the day off after you listen to this episode! Rob might be just a little intense.
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It seems like everyone is working on their mindset these days. There are podcasts and online courses devoted to a winning mindset, TED talks on mindset, Life Coaches that coach specifically on mindset, and even webinars and live conferences on mindset.
BUT, how well do we nurture and steward our daily brain nutrition? What do we read, listen to, or watch? Where we do we go or hang out? Who do we spend time with? What are we learning and curious about? If we are so concerned about our mindset, we should really be attending to what we are putting into our brains every day.
Are we inputting healthy brain nutrition? That's the topic for today's episode! Enjoy and have a super weekend! Join me tomorrow, Saturday, for the long form, Weekend Edition of the Coaching For Pastors Podcast!
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You remember the song lyrics, "Don't stop... believin'..."? Well, today the message is "Don't stop dreamin'!" When we've lost the will to dream, we've lost quite a bit of our energy for life and ministry.
Remember when you actually believed you could accomplish something great for God? Was it a grand fairy tale? Is it over? Have you stopped dreaming? C'mon now, don't be that way! God hasn't lost his dream of a people united, empowered, and on mission to the world around them.
I think it's easy to lose our dream. But I think it's just as easy to pick it back up again. It involves faith, and being around other people of God with a dream FROM God! That's what I talk about on today's episode. Enjoy!
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It may be or may not be true - but is your family spending too much time at home on screens? Are you getting drawn right in to the giant sucking vortex of technology in your home? It's our culture, it's in the water, it's the world we live in. But we still have to eat, sleep, go to the bathroom... and spend time with each other!
Check out this episode and just be honest with yourself - does your family need a new approach or a new family philosophy or policy around technology use!?
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Our staff meetings were fine, just fine. We all get along... mostly. I have a fantastic staff team who love each other, love the LORD, love our people and community, are self-motivated, committed to excellence, and easy to work with. Our staff meetings were fine. Mostly.
Except when we wasted time in sideways conversation. Or didn't have clarity after a twenty minute discussion. Or when we left without clear action steps, or not really knowing what each other was working on, or what our ministry priorities were - then they really could have been better.
It got to the point where I was inwardly seriously dissatisfied with our Monday morning All-Staff Meetings. So this short episode is what I did. Next week I'll let you know what has come of it, but for now, here is how I pulled a "fruit basket upset!"
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Jeff talks today about two fundamentals that, when practiced, can have a transformational impact on yes, even pastors! One is Scripture meditation, and the other is meditating on a question... listen to find out what it is! Enjoy!
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On this weekend's edition of the podcast Scott Dalen from Underwood Lutheran Church in Southwest IA joins Mark Messmore from Mount Olivet Christian Church in Williamstown KY to talk with Jeff about their ministries, the highs and the lows, and the most important lessons from both.
Scott is "your friendly Internet pastor", so check him out on YouTube!
Mark can be found at MarkMessmore.com - so check him out there!
Get quick coaching and encouragement Monday through Friday from Jeff on this podcast - about 8 minutes every day - pure pastoral fuel for your day! Pick any 8 minutes out of your day for a quick hit of hope - then get going on to your next thing...
Join me next week on April 30th when Dan Reiland, the XP at 12Stone Church in Atlanta joins me, and then on May 7th with David Fitch from Northern Seminary in Chicago. Enjoy TODAY's episode with Mark and Scott!
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Friday is health and fitness day on the Coaching For Pastors Podcast - and today I am talking about a very fundamental principle of health - movement. Rick Warren once said we need to get up off our blessed assurance. I would never say that because it is too controversial :-) but I would say we do need to get up off our butts and out into the world to get some MOVEMENT!
I don't know how many doctors agree that sitting is the new smoking, but that term certainly has gotten traction in the last few years. We have a sedentary vocation, so today I encourage us to fight against it! Enjoy! (And let's get off our bu##s) :-)
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While we are in a presidential campaign off year - maybe now is the time to talk to our church leadership about 2023 and 2024. What principles and values will guide our church through what will certainly be another politically charged, polarized campaign season in the United States?
We are now in the political "eye of the storm", and while we are all calm (most of us!) and in our right minds, now is the time to prepare our leadership to lead like Jesus, to think and lead biblically, and to decide ahead of time, in line with our mission and vision, how we will shepherd our people through this divisive time. Our churches really can be safe places, salt and light, and bastions of love, truth, and unity in our communities.
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With the zany pace of life these days, my wife and I have found it super helpful to sit down weekly for the express purpose of talking - communicating - actually discussing a number of areas of our lives, marriage, family, and ministry - so that we are not blindsided by events, appointments, project deadlines, and generally, people!
In this episode I suggest a weekly spouse summit - and explain why and how... Enjoy!
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At any given point in our lives and ministries there can be areas where we are just stuck - but sometimes - we face times when it seems like we are stuck in a number of areas. This can cause us some personal and/or leadership paralysis! And, as my daughter says, "that's yucky, right?!" Yes, it's yucky.
In today's episode I give you a clear, step by step plan to get unstuck in one area, which can then help you build the momentum and confidence you need to get unstuck in many areas. You know what? I really this hope this helps! But it's going to be up to you to take the action I outline... Have a blast!
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In the western world, pride is such an accepted sin in our Christian culture, is barely shows up on our radar! Yet, the Bible condemns it in the strongest terms. Jeff talks about pride in his own life and challenges all of us pastors to embrace humility in our common Kingdom work together.
Welcome, it's Monday and our topic is the pastor's spiritual life!
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John Finkelde, from GrowAHealthyChurch.com joins Jeff to help coach pastors on the challenges that most pastors are facing, new metrics for measuring health in your church, the rest that you really need as a pastor, the friendships you need, and the blessing of a prayer ministry for the pastor, plus so much more!
Check out THE HUB at GrowAHealthyChurch.com, which is a complete online ministry resource for the support and encouragement of pastors. It's free for 14 days, then costs only a small monthly fee to continue. At John's site there are a lot of FREE resources, and you can also join John's Grow A Healthy Church Facebook Group!
Enjoy this special Weekend Edition of the Coaching For Pastors Podcast!
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Hey Pastor, in ministry you will not last long if you do not develop life-giving relationships. You need friends around you who can build into you, encourage you, affirm you, remind you that you're loved, and let you know you indeed are NOT crazy!
Friends like this are not optional as a pastor, they are a necessity. Jeff talks about the importance of these relationships and gives you some advice on how to find them, if you have none now. Enjoy!
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In today's uncertain world, where people are on your side one day, but then after one sermon or social media post they aren't, Jeff coaches pastors to put their hope in the only God who is able to be there for them when all the chips are down, and they have no one else. Jeff shares a water bottle story that threw him for a loop for a couple hours...
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After telling you in a past episode about the positive things Jeff did as a parent, in episode 40 he is unrelentingly honest about his parental faults and failures. Being a parent, and a pastor, is not easy. We face unique pressures in our calling, and in the public eye. But Jeff wanted to be sure he did not come across as the exemplar of success. While he and his wife raised four children who are all grown up, married, and walking with God - Jeff had some real points of weakness... and he hopes you might realize that you're not that bad after all - you can do it!
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Are you honest about who you are? Are you fully aware and open about your strengths and weaknesses? If you haven't told your church about them, don't worry, they already know! But it's only when you're honest and open about your wiring and how God made you that you can be an effective leader others will want to follow. Jeff shares some of the weaknesses that he has to manage in his life.
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Why do we allow sin to have such control over us. Jesus has defeated it. It walks through our life as a dead zombie, neutralized and impotent, it cannot defeat us. Jesus has already won and handed to us victory over sin. While we still suffer, experience temptation, and at times yield to it, we need not let it claim victory in our lives! We must claim the truth of God's Word just as Jesus did in Matthew 4 - banish guilt and shame, and keep our eyes fixed on Jesus! Jeff encourages pastors to speak Scripture back to Satan and his forces just as Jesus did - to walk in victory over sin.
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When one of the worst things that you could ever imagine, actually happens to you - what do you do?! When it happens and you're a father, pastor, and seminary professor - how do you handle it?! When it threatens your job, your career, and everything you've worked for - how do you respond?! And when you want to take responsibility for your actions and your future - what are your next steps?!
Dr. Brian Russell arrived at just such a moment in his life in 2010, and in this episode he and Jeff have a conversation about it. Brian shares openly, and even painfully, about his journey, and provides hope to others going through similar pain, suffering, and struggle. What Brian has to say helps all pastors to understand better how to minister to those living their worst days - and how to handle tragedy when it arrives on their doorstep.
We are happy to share this episode with you, for your encouragement and, God willing, your thriving.
Your can find Brian at https://www.brianrussellphd.com and https://www.deepdivespirituality.com.
Here is his latest book: Centering Prayer - Sitting Quietly In God's Presence Can Change Your Life
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Jeff challenges pastors in the area of health and fitness and asks a series of questions to help them see what might be possible for them. As he said on Episode 35, stop living the life you already know how to live, in the area of health and fitness. Go for it! Change it up! Find another way! Answer these questions for your own life, and don't be afraid, the episode is only 8 minutes long... how much damage could Jeff do in eight minutes?? :-)
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Pastor, do you have tunnel vision when it comes to your church, and the other churches in your community/region? Today's episode is about perspective and hope, and Jeff talks with your about what it could be like in your community if pastors and churches got together in a John 17 spirit of unity. What impact could the ONE church in your community have on the lost? If they stopped comparing and competing. Maybe the perspective you need today is "I am going to step forward and GO FIRST in bringing pastors and churches together. Someone has to go first, and I will...
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What would it look like to stop living the life you already know how to live... with your family? How could you 5X your involvement in your marriage, your parenting, your extended family? What would have to change? What is the vision for your family's future? Jeff challenges you to not repeat what hasn't worked in your family, and to think outside the box!
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Jeff coaches you on how to lead by asking questions, and shares some helpful resources to access to learn more on this topic. When we simply direct others, they only get our opinion, but when we include others in the sausage making by asking them what they think, we get to mine the wisdom of the entire room. You can absolutely 5X or 10X your success as a leader by asking more questions of those you lead - it's a winning strategy! Enjoy!
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What could God do with a pastor who is daily running on a full tank of Scripture? We preach the importance of God's Word to our people - but are we running on fumes ourselves? I know that you want to be blessed in your ministry and in your evangelism and discipleship in your community. Today I want to challenge you to imagine what God might do if you were full of his Word!
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Something as fundamental as sleep should not need to be mentioned, but since so many pastors cheat sleep, Jeff is actually going to mention it! Every day actually starts the night before with the rest we get or don't get in preparation for the day ahead. Pastors can have crazy days, and sleep is an absolute necessity.
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If you can't stand the heat, as a pastor you must stay in the kitchen! When the crazy hits the fan, you'll likely get splattered on, but you have to keep your cool. Jeff talks about what to do in difficult situations with people in your church. He shares the story of a board meeting that went off the rails. (The names were cloaked to protect he guilty!) Enjoy!
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Do you make lists and create schedules and manage your priorities in your ministry? Probably. (At least I hope you do!) But, how well do you plan so that you can succeed in your family relationships? Do you bring the same energy and focus to win with your family?
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What is your main responsibility as a pastor? What do you get paid to do? Where should you invest your most valuable time and energy? Jeff talks about these questions and more in this episode on developing leaders in your church...
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"Make sure you don't use your sermon prep as devotional time!" Ever heard that Pastor? Me too! It was drilled into me in Bible College. Do you believe it? Do you live by it? On today's episode I will give you my take on it...
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What are the lines of the script running in your head as a pastor? What story are you writing every day about who you are, what you do, and what you're capable of? Jeff coaches you today on the story you're writing of your life and your ministry. What we tell ourselves about ourselves has a huge influence on how we manage our lives. Jesus tells us a lot about who we are, and we should listen to him.
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Jeff coaches you on pastoral perspective today around how you view the ministries of your church. Do you determine your ministries by what the church across town is doing, or the latest fastest growing church in America? Do you import ideas for a new program in your church from the last conference you attended? Jeff challenges you to have ministries and programs that flow out of the Holy Spirit's gifting of your people.
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In our families we often have expectations of one another that are unrealistic. As a mom or dad, do you have expectations of your kids that may be unrealistic? Do you have expectations of your spouse? Jeff coaches you regarding unrealistic expectations that you might want to ditch, and what to replace them with... enjoy!
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Do you pretend to practice everything you preach? What if you were more honest about weaknesses and areas of growth in your ministry development? What if you didn't have to pretend anymore as a pastor that you have it all together and have all the answers?
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Jeff challenges pastors to trust God in the toughest times of life - and for big things. He shares some experiences that forced him to trust God deeply, against all odds.
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Jeff challenges pastors to pursue vivacious mental health. Pastors use their minds all day every day, and now they need care and rest.
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Jeff challenges pastors to pastor all the people in the church, not just their friends, buddies, and girlfriends. Let's leave no one behind - pastor them all!
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Jeff talks to young parent-pastors about how to raise kids in a pastor's home. It's true, more is caught than taught!
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Jeff talks about how to do self- leadership. We can't lead others where we've never been ourselves. Self leadership is our first crucial destination.
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Jeff challenges pastors to invest in prayer. Sometimes you just need to sit with God and be with him, without saying anything at all!
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Fridays: Pastoral Health & Fitness. Jeff talks about how what you fuel your body and brain with determines how well they serve you. He shares some of his own struggles and wins in the health department and offers hope.
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Thursdays: Perspective & Hope for pastors. Sometimes it's really good that you don't please people as a pastor, and that people absolutely leave your church! Jeff tells you when...
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Wednesdays: Pastoral Family Health. Jeff talks about marriage and ministry. Marriage really is work. The health of our marriage follows us into our ministry effectiveness.
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Tuesdays - Leadership Development. Jeff shares the single best practice he instituted in his local church leadership practice. Don't miss this one!
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Monday - The Spiritual Life of a Pastor. Can your people follow you as you follow Jesus? Jeff challenges you to be that pastor who practices what he/she preaches!
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Hey Pastors, Jeff is taking the plunge to make Coaching For Pastors a Monday-Friday podcast! That's right, a five-days-a-week podcast!
There will be bonus episodes that include guests and guest perspectives on pastoral ministry, but in this episode Jeff lays out the themes for Mondays, for Tuesdays, etc. He's pretty excited about providing helpful and encouraging content to pastors.
This is a non-denominational and all denominational podcast, meaning that ANY pastor is welcome to join us - if you are a spiritual leader of a group of people, join us!
Jeff mentioned the book, The New Copernicans by David John Seel today so here's a link!
Enjoy!
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Jeff shares a quote from Mike Cosper in his book, Recapturing The Wonder - Transcendent Faith In A Disenchanted World, and asks you to apply it to your life. Are you afraid of solitude and silence because when you go looking for God, you find yourself? Do you avoid silence in order to avoid your inner demons? Jeff makes some suggestions to rid yourself of self and minister out of the power of the Spirit of God. Enjoy!
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Jeff talks about making a difference for generations! We operate in the day to day, but what if we saw everyone as they will be fifty years from now? What kind of lives have they had? What difference did we make in those last fifty years of their life? Jeffs tells a personal story and shares a resource that will help you as you lead your people to make a Kingdom impact in your community. Enjoy!
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Like you, Jeff doesn't want this coming weekend to be "just another weekend." He shares some suggestions to make sure that doesn't happen. It really is up to us.
Jeff's been a pastor for 35 years. He spent four year good years in Bible College, then another five (23 years later!) in an M.Div. Program, and is finishing his D.Min. this year. Lots of school, and lots of experience(s) - and he can't help but encourage pastors just like him...
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Jeff returns to the MIC after one year - to fade back into the Coaching For Pastors Podcast! He shares some pastoral and personal thoughts on pastoring in our day and what's most important. Enjoy!
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Jeff talks with Keith Davis - who for more than twelve years has been supporting and counseling couples in ministry. With an extensive history in local church ministry leadership, and his own experiences with struggle and renewal, Keith and his wife help other ministry leaders find hope, healing, and true LIFE again!
Keith and his wife Kathy help to create pathways for change that lead to vibrant hope for ministry couples who need it most! You can find them at https://www.centerhope.net. No matter where you are in your ministry journey, or your marriage - this episode will be both helpful and encouraging! Enjoy!
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Nicholas and Ally have written the book, What Comes Next? Shaping the Future in an Ever-Changing World - A Guide For Christian Leaders, and talk with Jeff about their "Futures Framework" and how it helps churches shape their future and move forward in spite of the weaknesses and threats that might exist. Nick and Ally talk about People, Purpose, Technology, and Place as it relates to your church, and how they form a framework to understand your ministry setting and possible future.
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Dale Sellers, from the 95Network, talks with Jeff about his ministry story and the book that grew out of it - Stalled - Help and Hope For Those Who Thought They'd Be There By Now. Dale and Jeff have a combined 70 years of ministry experience, and they had this conversation just for YOU! Enjoy!
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Larry Fowler, a former Vice President of Awana Clubs International, and the founder of the Legacy Coalition, talks with Jeff about forming, leading, and developing a healthy team. Larry just founded the Legacy Coalition only four years ago and has assembled an All-Star Team to help him lead the organization - and we can learn from his wisdom and experience!
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You can check out Ben at https://www.benjaminwindle.com! Ben is a pastor in Brisbane, Australia, and you can check out his ministry here: https://www.lifeplace.com.au/about-us/
Enjoy this episode where Jeff talks with Ben about leading Millennials.
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Jeff Keady lays out his motivation and vision for creating the Coaching For Pastors Podcast, and also gives his first bit of coaching to pastors on how to approach leading people, who you might think aren't moving fast enough. He also previews Episode 002 with Greg Atkinson!
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Jeff talks with Greg Atkinson from FirstImpressionsConference.com. Greg talks about pastoral leadership, COVID, first impressions, coaching, and having thick skin! Enjoy!
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