Episode 02 - First Impressions and Pastoral Leadership with Greg Atkinson

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?

For more great content and conversations for pastors, check out the over 400 episodes of the 200churches Podcast!

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!

For more great content and conversations for pastors, check out the over 400 episodes of the 200churches Podcast!

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!

For more great content and conversations for pastors, check out the over 400 episodes of the 200churches Podcast!

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!

For 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...

For more great content and conversations for pastors, check out the over 400 episodes of the 200churches Podcast!

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...

For more great content and conversations for pastors, check out the over 400 episodes of the 200churches Podcast!

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...

For more great content and conversations for pastors, check out the over 400 episodes of the 200churches Podcast!

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!

For 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.

For more great content and conversations for pastors, check out the over 400 episodes of the 200churches Podcast!

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!

For more great content and conversations for pastors, check out the over 400 episodes of the 200churches Podcast!