Season 4 Episode 7: 4 Questions for Dr. Drew Dabbs

Season 4 Episode 7: 4 Questions for Dr. Drew Dabbs

Join us for a conversation with Dr. Drew Dabbs on how to create margin, avoid burnout, and lead effectively. Drew is the pastor of First Baptist Church, Hamilton, Texas. He completed his undergraduate work in Christian Studies at Mississippi College, and later attended Truett Seminary, where he completed his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry. Drew has over 20 years of ministry experience.

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Season 4 Episode 6: Making a Difference with Richard Ray

Season 4 Episode 6: Making a Difference with Richard Ray

We interview Richard Ray, the current Director of Missions for Tri-Rivers Baptist Area, a network of 80+ churches in central Texas. Under Richard's leadership, Tri-Rivers purchases a retreat center for area churches, hosting a series of student camps, church trainings, and conferences which has further accelerated the growth of Tri-Rivers. He has also set up a free shelter for domestic abuse survivors.

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Season 2 Episode 45: Is Pastoral Culture Healthy

Season 2 Episode 45: Is Pastoral Culture Healthy

Do you find identity more in success than in your calling from God? On this episode, Kyle Willis and Dace Clifton talk about the book Dangerous Calling by Paul David Tripp. Join us as we talk about how pastors and church leaders can avoid some common negative thoughts that many pastors face.

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Season 2 Episode 43: Chad Missildine – A Tale of Two Leaders (Part 1)

Season 2 Episode 43: Chad Missildine – A Tale of Two Leaders (Part 1)

We interview Pastor Chad Missildine on how to create margin, avoid burnout, and lead effectively. Chad is the President and CEO of The Stephen Group and the author of the new book A Tale of 2 Leaders. Chad served on staff for 12 years under Craig Groeschel at Life.Church and works now with high-performing leaders across both the for-profit and non-profit sectors. Chad and his wife Macy have three daughters and live in Edmond, Oklahoma.

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She Said,​ “I’m Pregnant!” Pastor Stress during Pregnancy

She Said,​ “I’m Pregnant!” Pastor Stress during Pregnancy

Pregnancy can be a trying time. It is also a unique opportunity to grow in our faith, strengthen our marriage, and see God bless in unexpected ways. In this article, we will discuss three different ways you can bless your marriage, grow in your faith and apply God’s word during pregnancy.

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Looking for a way out

Looking for a way out

What do you do when your situation frustrates, discourages, or disappoints you? In this article Dace advises what to do when you just want out.

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What your attitude reveals

What your attitude reveals

How's your attitude? Our attitudes reveal where we are placing our focus. Attitude is like a barometer for our hearts - it shows what's going on underneath. What you cultivate inside always finds its way out.

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Seeking simplicity in your sermons

Seeking simplicity in your sermons

How clear are your sermons? Listening to an unclear sermon is like being on a road-trip with an unknown destination. Clarity is a key feature of effective communication. In this article, preaching Professor Dr. Matthew McKellar explains how you can bring clarity to your sermons for effective preaching.

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Building an evangelistic​ culture in the church

Building an evangelistic​ culture in the church

Jesus calls his followers to make disciples of all nations. The discipleship process begins with sharing the good news with the lost. Unfortunately, this great commission has become the "great omission" in many churches. In this article, Dr. Carl Bradford explains three critical moves every leader must make to cultivate an evangelistic culture in your church.

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Pastoral tenure and healthy churches

Pastoral tenure and healthy churches

How does pastoral tenure impact church health? It is not uncommon to see churches change pastoral leadership every few years and in some cases every few months. In this article, Dr. John Mann explains how pastors serving for an extended time can contribute to church health. Before you make a move in ministry, consider the impact you could have by staying at your current post.

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Nine ways to leave a legacy

Nine ways to leave a legacy

Serving Christ in a local church is a special calling. The decisions you make, the causes you champion, and the life you live all have an impact on the ministry. We are all leaving some type of legacy. What type of legacy are you leaving behind? In this article, Pastor Chris Ortego reflects on the type of legacy he endeavors to leave in a well-established church.

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When your church hates you: lessons from the early years of Charles Simeon

When your church hates you: lessons from the early years of Charles Simeon

Have key members in your church tried to get rid of you on multiple occasions? Has your flock deliberately tried to undermine your ministry? Have you been the object of fierce hostility, anger, and spite? If so, you are in company with one of history’s greatest preachers: Charles Simeon (1759-1839). In this article we will look at the turbulent beginnings of one of the greatest preachers of the nineteenth century.

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Adjusting your expectations

Adjusting your expectations

Why do we have such a hard time adjusting to life when things don't go our way? Oftentimes, we look to blame outward things (situations, circumstances, and people) when what we're really upset about is our unspoken, oftentimes unrealistic expectations.

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Being a warrior for God, part two

Being a warrior for God, part two

Does God call us to be warriors?Being a Christian and a warrior are two ideas seldom connected in the modern world. However, if Christians embraced the discipline and ethic of a warrior, we would see an unparalleled resurgence of strength, leadership, sacrifice, courage, and love in our world. In this post, I’ll identify two more areas Christians can embrace the call to be a warrior.

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Church finance: the business basics

Church finance: the business basics

Ministry and church leaders wear many hats as they seek to fulfill their calling. This article is designed to assist pastors and church leaders as they navigate the financial aspects of ministry by providing a basic foundation of business principles. The knowledge and application of these principles will help strengthen the financial integrity of any ministry. Stay tuned for additional articles on managing ministry financials.

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Being a warrior for God

Being a warrior for God

Being a Christian and a warrior are two ideas seldom connected in the modern world. If Christians embraced the ethic and discipline of warriors, our world would see radical change in Christian leadership.

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Parenting in light of the Gospel

Parenting in light of the Gospel

The Gospel brings about a radical change in our lives. How should our parenting be impacted by Gospel truth? In a world full of conflicting information, God's Word provides the needed foundation to lead our children in following Christ. In this article, we will discuss a few areas where the Gospel can produce liberating changes in our approach parenting.

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Why pastors need real friends

Why pastors need real friends

Being well-known and having deep and abiding relationships with others are two completely different things. Some pastors are hesitant to develop relationships that go beyond surface matters out of a fear of being hurt or betrayed. In this post, we will discuss a few reasons why it is critical for pastors and ministry couples to cultivate deep friendships with others.

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How to kick troubling thoughts to the curb

How to kick troubling thoughts to the curb

Have you ever been troubled by your thoughts? Maybe you know what it is like to be burdened by chronic worry, fear, despair, or anger. Sometimes our minds can feel like a battleground. However, as a Child of God, we don’t have to let negative thoughts live “rent free” in our minds. In fact, the Bible talks about taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (see 2 Cor 10:5). In this article, we will walk through the steps to kick troubling thoughts to the curb.

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What’s your dinner table used for?

What’s your dinner table used for?

The dinner table is a much under-used tool for evangelism and discipleship. As God has torn down the barrier that once separated us, inviting others to share a meal in our homes can also help tear down barriers. This post explains how we can use our dinner tables in an effort to reach out to others and build the Kingdom.

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Dealing with unjust criticism and insults

Dealing with unjust criticism and insults

There will be times in ministry when you are going to be hit. You will be the subject of criticism (some warranted and some unwarranted). Occasionally, someone fueled by a sense of self-contrived justice, is going to say something to you that is unfair, insulting, or ill-informed. Expect it. How do you face an unjust critic or personal insults? During this post we will discuss the keys to keeping your focus on Christ even when targeted by a critic.

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Fighting for your faith when the struggle is real

Fighting for your faith when the struggle is real

There are no vacation days available when it comes to spiritual warfare and the fight can be exhausting. The struggle is real. Some days it feels as if the enemy never takes a holiday. In this post we discuss several ways to keep your focus on God when enduring difficulty, discouragement, and spiritual warfare.

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Spurgeon’s view of depression

Spurgeon’s view of depression

Are you experiencing depression in ministry? Depression in ministry should not take us by surprise. Like other obstacles in our lives, it can cause us to look to Christ, lean on God's promises, and rely on the Holy Spirit to get us through.

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Three unique advantages to bi-vocational ministry

Three unique advantages to bi-vocational ministry

Are you in bi-vocational ministry? Bi-vocational ministry has unique challenges and opportunities. This article highlights some of the advantages of serving God in bi-vocational ministry. Bi-vocational ministers have the opportunity to leverage their calling in the workplace for the glory of God.

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The danger of bitterness

The danger of bitterness

Is bitterness ruining your ministry? Bitterness is a real killer of effective ministry. Every man and woman in ministry must guard against this danger. In this post I’ll explain the ways bitterness can take root in our lives. Understanding how bitterness grows prepares us to be on guard against this danger.

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Identity and Godly Sexuality: Andrew Franklin

Identity and Godly Sexuality: Andrew Franklin

Andrew Franklin is the Lead Pastor of Mosaic Community Church in Eastside Seattle, Washington. He is also the author of Created for Love, a book about reclaiming Jesus's Vision for Sexuality, Gender & Relationships.

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4 Questions for Dr. Phillip Koo

4 Questions for Dr. Phillip Koo

Dr. Phillip Koo is the Leadership Residency Director at Christ Chapel Bible Church in Fort, Worth, Texas. On today's episode we talk with Phillip about creating margin, avoiding burnout, and church leadership, especially as it relates to Seminary students or pastors in a residency program.

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4 Questions for Pastor Randy Kendrix

4 Questions for Pastor Randy Kendrix

Join us as we speak with pastor Randy Kendrix. Randy is the the Pastor of First Baptist Church Madill, Oklahoma. He has served at churches in Oklahoma, Texas and Louisiana and as an Area Representative with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

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Depression and Suicide with Matthew Sleeth, MD

Depression and Suicide with Matthew Sleeth, MD

Do you know someone struggling with depression or having suicidal thoughts? The answer is almost always "yes". Dr. Matthew Sleeth explains the impact of mental health on pastors and challenges us to be more proactive from the pulpit on addressing the current suicide crises.

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