Episode 37 - Things I Wish I Knew
Bible colleges and seminaries do a great job of training pastors, but there are just some things you can't learn in a classroom. Today on the podcast, Josh and Jay talk about some things they wish they new before becoming a pastor.
Episode 36 - Passing the Baton
What does it look like for us to successfully pass the baton on to the next generation? Today we welcome our guest Jon Adams who shares some great insight into this subject. Jon is the Lead Pastor at The Vine Community Church in Cumming, GA.
Episode 35 - The Growing Church
We all want our church to grow and make an eternal impact. But, how do we measure church growth? Today on the podcast, Josh & Jay discuss how to measure the heart and health of your church. We hope this conversation encourages you to lead healthy, growing churches!
Episode 34 - The Great Disconnect
Jesus gave us clear instructions in Matthew 28, but how is that being lived out in the local church? Today, Josh & Jay welcome David Chakranarayan to discuss the disconnect we are seeing in the local church when it comes to the Great Commission.
Episode 33 - The Strategic Pastor
In Matthew 28, Jesus communicated the mission of the church, but how does that practically play out in the local church today? Today on the podcast, Josh and Jay spend some time talking about the vision frame and the importance of have a strategic plan in place. Join the conversation and learn some ways you can lead your church to maximize its influence in the community.
Resources to help you with strategy:
Intentional Churches - Bart Rendel & Doug Parks
Church Unique - Mancini
Simple Church - Geiger and Rainer
Predictable Success - Les McKeown
Episode 32 - Full Circle Parenting
Parenting in today's culture can be difficult. With all the outside voices attempting to influence our kids, how do we as parents continue to speak truth into their lives? Today, we welcome Jimmy & Kristen Scroggins from Family church to discuss this topic and their book, Full Circle Parenting.
Episode 31 - What Pastors Wives Really Think About Stuff
Laboring alongside most pastors is a wife who is equally crazy about the ministry God set before their family. Unfortunately, many times, we miss out on hearing what they see, hear, and think about ministry. Today on The Pastor Pod, Josh & Jay welcome their wives to have a fun conversation and pull back the curtain to hear about ministry from their wife's perspective.
Episode 30 - The Power of Networking
Every pastor can grow and add value to others. Networking should be more than just another meeting on the calendar. It should be a life-giving experience for you and other leaders. Today, we welcome Bob Bumgarner back to the podcast to discuss the power of healthy networks!
Episode 29 - Expository or Topical Preaching
Expository or topical preaching? Is one method better than the other? Today on the podcast, Josh and Jay explain how to understand both approaches. We also discuss some helpful tips on how to make the most of the preparation and delivery of the message. Ultimately, gospel-centered preaching is incredibly important for the health and growth of the church.
Episode 28 - Helpful Sermon Prep Practices
Each week pastors all over the world prepare to lead their people by communicating the truth of the Bible. This week on the podcast, we pull back the curtain and discuss some helpful ways you can maximize your time preparing.
Podcast Conversation Guide
How do we communicate God’s Word with clarity and creativity?
Trust God’s Word - The Bible is God’s living and active Word. It is timeless and relevant to every generation.
Start with You - Nothing will prepare your sermon better than you wrestling with the text personally first.
Know your audience - we need to be students of the Bible, but also students of our people and culture.
Know your Text, Title and Big idea
Map your Message - following the big idea of the text, map the skeleton of the sermon and put some meat on the bones. Use principles and points to undergird the big idea that comes out of passage.
Teach for transformation, not just information - Application is just as important as information.
Teach with them, not at them. Allow people to know that we are growing with them.
Know your sermon, try not to read it. Communication is 80% non-verbal. If we are constantly looking down and not engaging with them, it can cause a disconnect.
Everyone has a next step - Believers and unbelievers.
Episode 27 - 4 Leadership Tips Every Pastor Should Know (Mac Lake)
The best leaders are growing leaders! Growing leaders are teachable leaders. If you think about the leaders who have impacted you most, they most likely have never stopped stretching themselves to learn. In a world full of distractions, it can be difficult to experience clarity.
We are super excited to welcome Mac Lake, the co-founder and leadership behind The Multiply Group. Mac has a deep passion for leadership development and has served churches of all sizes by helping them establish systems to accomplish their God-sized vision.
Conversation Guide:
You are around a lot of church leaders, what is one of the largest hurdles most pastors are trying to overcome? Why do you think that is?
Vision Confusion
Recruitment
Leadership Development
Don’t start with the point of pain, start with the point of influence
What has been one of the most impactful resources you have used to train leaders? What makes it so impactful?
Content
Slower not faster
Smaller not bigger
What are the most practical leadership tips every pastor should know?
Make sure your a disciplined visionary
Have a written list of who is on your team
Spend a disproportionate time with the few to impact the many
Focus on transformation not dumping information
Mac Lake
Virtual Co-Lab - https://www.multiplygroup.org/leadership-pipeline
Multiply Group www.multiplygroup.org
Training Cards www.GetTrainingCards.com
DISCIPLING LEADERS Training Series https://bit.ly/2X8rmHO
Episode 26 - What Executive Pastors Really Think
Executive Pastors can really be a game changer in the life of a church! Today on the podcast, Josh & Jay welcome Josh's Executive Pastor, Allen Smith to discuss the unique relationship between a pastor and XP. Not all churches are able to have an XP on staff, so the team collectively brainstorms ways you can still accomplish the work of an XP by looking into your church congregation.
Episode 25 - Casting a Compelling Vision
Vision in it simplest form is defined as a compelling picture of the future. Vision casting is a key part of being a leader. This week, Josh and Jay tackle this important topic and why it matters in the context of the local church.
Episode 24 - Practical Ways to Strengthen Your Faith
Life has often been described as seasons. Some seasons are easier than others. Who do we turn to when we are struggling? How do we manage stress? This week on the podcast, Josh and Jay give some practical ways you can strengthen your faith.
Episode 23 - Praying For Ukraine
As a church, how do we respond to the events happening in Ukraine? Today, Josh and Jay welcome Sergei Pavlov who grew up in Ukraine and has family currently living there.
Episode 22 - The Importance Of Church Revitalization
Every church fits into the category of church revitalization! Today, we welcome our special guest Sam Rainer who gives some great insight for every church leader. In this episode Sam helps leaders identify how they can begin the process of positioning their church for God’s unique purpose in their community.
Episode 21 - The Difficulty Of Transparency
Being a pastor can be lonely, but it shouldn't be! On today’s episode, Josh and Jay talk about transparency as a pastor. They cover the difficulties and importance of finding a place where you can be transparent. We all need a place to be open and honest, but many pastors struggle to find it.
Episode 20 - What (Worship) Pastors Really Think About Stuff
It's no secret that one of the closest relationships every pastor has, or should have, is with their worship leader. This week on the podcast Josh & Jay welcome two worship leaders, Aaron Miller and Greyson Adkins, for an open conversation about the unique relationship between pastors and worship leaders.
Episode 19 - Does Church Membership Matter?
When we use membership in the church it opens a wide variety of meanings. For some it may even bring unpleasant memories that cause caution. Join Josh & Jay as they have an open conversation about what why membership is important and vital to the local church.
Episode 18 - Is Online Church the Future (Part 2)
This week on The Pastor Pod, we continue our conversation about online church. Josh & Jay discuss engagement, discipleship, and gives some practical steps you can take regardless of what size church you are.