pastor podcast

My passion is making faith simple, and one of the tools I love is Subsplash. Subplash is a company that focuses on how we can reach people beyond Sunday. What if you could extend ministry outside of the weekend experience? I talk with the guy in charge of Subsplash, Chris Sharpe about why he loves partnering with churches and what he sees about connecting with your audience 24/7. 

You can find out more about one of our favorite ministry tools at Real Life Church at http://subsplash.com/simple

Ever wondered how a pastor's kid from Trinidad and Tobago ended up ministering love in the American marketplace? Join me as I sit down with Gary Kahn as he takes us through his unique faith walk. Gary's life story is inspiring: from a restless pastor's kid exploring his understanding of God to hearing God's call and moving toward ministry. His 32 years of ministry have seen their fair share of crises and questioning, but through it all, Gary found his way back to the unshakeable foundations of his faith.

And it doesn't end at the pulpit. Gary navigated the transition from traditional pastoral work into chaplaincy, bringing Christ's love into the workplace. He uncovers the process of building relationships with people who may not necessarily step foot in a church and shares how these connections create a platform to exhibit the love of Christ in real life ways. Gary also shares about his latest book, "That Didn't Go the Way I Thought," where he provides a refreshing take on faith and life's surprising twists. Listen in to this week's Simple Faith.

Special thanks to our sponsor, Subsplash! You can find our more about one of our favorite ministry tools at Real Life Church at http://subsplash.com/simple

Resources

• Episode Transcript
• Connect with Gary
  • Facebook
• Message of the Open Bible - website
  • In the Waiting - article
  • That Didn't Turn Out The Way I thought - article
• That Didn't Turn Out the Way I Thought by Gary Kahn

Are you ready to unlock the secrets to standing out as a top candidate in an executive search? Join us as we sit down with William Vanderbloemen, who brings fascinating insights from his analysis of 30,000 interviews, unveiling the 12 essential habits that differentiate the standouts from the rest. Surprisingly, these weren't about a high IQ or an Ivy League education – but teachable habits like responsiveness that can make a world of difference.

Then, we shift our focus to why human-to-human skills, liberal arts degrees, and a track record of performance are crucial indicators of future success. The conversation takes an interesting turn as we debate the significance of allowing candidates to ask questions during interviews, the misunderstood dynamics of job transitions, and balancing leadership with testimony in a church setting. Plus, we talk about William's new book, 'Be a Unicorn,' a game-changer in how we perceive careers and personal growth.

Resources

• Episode Transcript
• Vanderbloemen Website
• Connect With William
  • Instagram
  • Twitter / X
  • LinkedIn
• Be the Unicorn by William Vanderbloemen
• Forbes.com Contributions

Download the Preacher's Guide to Revelation here. Sign up for our newsletter here.

How do you know when it's time to go? After 20 years at Real Life Church my family and I made the decision to make a move. In this episode I cover why and the lessons I learned along the way. 

Join in as I sit down with Dave Stone, a veteran in the world of church ministry. Growing up as a pastor's kid led him to Cincinnati Bible College, where he majored in preaching and practical ministry. After that, he worked under the leadership of Wayne Smith and Brewster McLeod at Southland Christian Church where he would later become the lead pastor. Dave doesn't shy away from reflecting on his faith and examining how his father's consistency in his faith played a significant role in his life.

We also had the chance to talk about the ups and downs of church leadership, from Dave sharing his insights on crafting a sermon and presenting it with a little sleight of hand to handling criticism with grace. Dave's tenure as the lead pastor brought him face-to-face with this reality of leadership. His advice on how to handle negativity and how he transformed a potentially destructive experience into a positive one is food for thought. Dave's humor and honesty make this episode a must-listen for any believer or leader navigating similar challenges. You'll want to tune in for a conversation that's as honest and humorous as it is enlightening.

Special thanks to our sponsor, Subsplash! You can find our more about one of our favorite ministry tools at Real Life Church at http://subsplash.com/simple

Resources

• Episode Transcript

Download a link to Brian Verrett's The Serpent in Samuel: A Messianic Motif. Sign up for Hands to the Plow's newsletter.

Here's a link to Brian's book The Serpent in Samuel: A Messianic Motif. Sign up for Hands to the Plow's newsletter.

Sign up for Hands to the Plow's newsletter here.

 If you've been tracking with us over the last couple of weeks, we have been prepping to launch our journey through The Story. We're doing this at several different campuses and churches all across the United States. So, I wanted to take this episode and guide you through a chapter of the book. We'll take a closer look at the stories of Cain and Abel, and Noah. More than that, we'll talk through how to bring The Story into your day to day life by habit stacking your morning reading and prayer routine with preparation for small group discussions.

Don't miss out on this enriching journey to usher God into every facet of your life. If you want to join all of us going through The Story together, you can get the book directly from Randy Frazee's website, on Amazon, and anywhere else you purchase books. And leave a comment below to let me know how going through The Story has been for you.

Special thanks to our sponsor, Subsplash! You can find our more about one of our favorite ministry tools at Real Life Church at http://subsplash.com/simple

Here are links to two helpful books providing more information on the serpent and the serpent crushing here. Click here to see Brian Verrett's The Serpent in Samuel: a Messianic Motif. Click here to see Andy Naselli's The Serpent and the Serpent Slayer.

I got to have an enlightening conversation with Randy Frazee, a seasoned pastor, author, and leader with a 34-year-long career. Randy, together with Max Lucado wrote The Story, a novel-like presentation of the Bible to help people engage with the Bible in an accessible way. We also shared the process of building a community around a Bible study and looked at the importance of accountability.

The conversation doesn't stop at community-building. We also uncover the power of the Hebrew day planner as a tool for holistic health and well-being. And for the golf lovers, prepare for some great conversations about the spiritual lessons we've drawn from the sport, and a new podcast on the way. I hope for everyone listening that you will walk away with a fresh perspective on how to foster deeper connections within your community and extend your church activities beyond Sunday service.

Special thanks to our sponsor, Subsplash! You can find more about one of our favorite ministry tools at Real Life Church at http://subsplash.com/simple

Resources:

• Episode Transcript
• About The Story
• Connect with Randy
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Randy's Website

What's your favorite story of all time? It could be a Tom Clancy or Stephen King novel, or maybe your favorite book from childhood. It amazes me the way that stories, from Batman to Star Wars, captivate people so profoundly.
What if it's not just a matter of entertainment, but ties into a grander narrative - one that encompasses even the seemingly boring aspects of our lives?

Well, today on Simple Faith, we'll take a look at some of my favorite stories and dig into this concept, exploring the fundamental elements of storytelling - the hero, the villain, the guide, and the goal - and how they relate to the ultimate story being told throughout human history, starting from the Garden of Eden.

Special thanks to our sponsor, Subsplash! You can find our more about one of our favorite ministry tools at Real Life Church at http://subsplash.com/simple.

Resources:

• Episode Transcript

Ever wonder what it takes to foster growth in a modern church, especially in a post-pandemic world? Then you'll want to join me for a real engaging conversation with Rich Birch, a church growth expert. Rich and I delve into the nitty gritty, discussing everything from the importance of communication within church ministries, to adapting the methods of the Attractional Church Movement in an evolving spiritual landscape. We examine the unique balance of roles within the church, and how to optimize the length of a message during services. The conversation gets extra interesting when we talk about fostering an 'invite culture,' a practice that has taken on a new level of importance since the onset of the pandemic. And of course, we couldn't leave out the significant connection between a robust volunteer culture and church growth.

Rich also shares some of his favorite resources for spiritual growth. Get ready to challenge your perspectives and be inspired by this candid conversation. And be sure to share it with a friend or two!

Special thanks to Subsplash for sponsoring this episode.

Resources

• Episode Transcript
• Connect with Rich
  • Twitter
  • Unseminary Instagram
  • Unseminary Facebook
• Unseminary Website

I got to sit down with Pastor Matt Piland, a leader, family man, and Executive Pastor of the fast-growing Bethlehem Church. Drawing on his unique journey from Louisiana to the pulpit, Matt unravels the power of leadership coaching and how it has fostered his growth as a church leader. It was great to hear his insights on his responsibilities as an Executive Pastor, his camaraderie with the Lead Pastor, and the qualities he prioritizes in his Campus Pastors.

The conversation takes an interesting turn as we look at the dynamics of leadership within the church and the importance of communication, mutual respect, and avoiding bitterness on your team. We also get a chance to explore church growth post-pandemic and how we can measure growth in an era where more people are attending church online. If you're curious about how to help your church grow or about leadership coaching can help you grow, then this is the episode for you.

Special thanks to our sponsor for the month and one of our favorite ministry tools at Real Life Church, Subsplash, the first engagement platform for churches.

Resources

• Episode Transcript
• Connect with Matt
  • Instagram
  • A clip from Matt's most recent message.
• Bethlehem Church
• Leadership Alone Isn’t Enough: 40 Devotions to Strengthen Your Soul by Dan Reiland
• Episode 216: Leadership legend Dan Reiland makes culture simple

Brian Dodd is back with some powerful insights from his new book, Mighty: Seven Skills You Need to Move from Pandemic to Progress, based on his popular blog posts from 2021. Listen in as he discusses how churches and small groups can leverage production, protection, perception, and passion for discipleship and leadership growth.

We also we take a look at church growth in a post-COVID world and the common threads that show up in successful churches. Hear how authenticity and genuine faith are driving church attendance and how pastors can connect with their congregations in this new landscape. Of course, it's not a Brian Dodd episode without some valuable lessons from sports, so we share lessons on leadership from the KC Chiefs' journey to the AFC Championship and a Super Bowl win, as well as valuable travel tips and the importance of kindness. Listen in, leave a comment, and let us know how you're finding success post-COVID.

Special thanks to our sponsor for the month and one of our favorite ministry tools at Real Life Church, Subsplash, the first engagement platform for churches.

Resources

• Brian Dodd on Leadership Website
• The Pursuit of Service Podcast
• Mighty: Seven Skills You Need to Move from Pandemic to Progress by Brian Dodd
• Connect with Brian:
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
• Listen to past episodes with Brian here:
  • Bonus Episode: What Football Can Teach Us about Leadership with Brian Dodd & Mark Weigt
  • Episode 198: How to make learning leadership simple with Brian Dodd
  • Episode 234: Brian Dodd makes the college football playoffs simple

The following article by Jason DeRouchie provides a great overview of the covenants. Click here to download "An Arc of the Covenants: Tracing How the Bible's Storyline Climaxes in Christ." For a quick primer on the subject, also download Jason DeRouchie's "The Biblical Covenants in Salvation History."

Ever wondered how to bridge the gap between where you are now and where you want to be? Join us for this episode of Simple Faith with our guest, former pastor and current executive coach, Joseph King Barkley. It's great to have him back on the podcast as we talk about how to make transformation simple. In my chat with Joseph, we take a closer look at the power of mindset and commitment.

Joseph brings his expertise to the table, sharing his insights on phenomenology and introducing new ways of seeing our circumstances. He also introduces an interesting concept that challenges us to go past our limits and accomplish more. Finally, we talk about the unique role pastoral leadership plays in shaping the spiritual growth of a congregation. Listen in to this week's episode and share in the comments how you might be inspired to go on your own path of transformation and growth.

Special thanks to our sponsor for the month and one of our favorite ministry tools at Real Life Church, Subsplash, the first engagement platform for churches.

Resources

• Episode Transcript
• Joseph Barkley’s Website
• Connect with Joseph
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • TikTok

This season has seen a lot of job transitions. With tech layoffs and the great resignation, people have been seeking the perfect fit for them professionally. So what happens once you find that job and transition over? Adam Bishop knows a little about that and is on the podcast to talk about his experience with a job transition. I ask him about stepping into his new role at NewHope Church, and about how to manage change through transitions. We also talk about our experience with Courageous Pastors, a great leadership coaching organization.

If you’ve got a job transition you’re navigating or you’re just considering what that could look like for you, listen in to our conversation here.

Special thanks to our sponsor for the month, Subsplash, the first engagement platform for churches.

Resources

• Episode Transcript
• Courageous Pastors
• NewHope Church 
• Connect with Adam
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram

Two of my favorite people are on the podcast today: Pastors Mike Breaux and Gene Appel. If you’ve ever looked at your teaching calendar and been overwhelmed or unsure of where to start, then this is the episode for you. We dug into what building out a teaching calendar is like for a pastor, what to consider when building it out, and how use your teaching calendar as a tool to better care for your congregation.Between Mike and Gene, they have so many years of pastoral knowledge to share, so you won’t want to miss this episode. 

Special thanks to our sponsor for the month, Saga Mental Health and Relationship Centers.

Resources

• Episode Transcript
• Connect with Gene Appel
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
• Connect with Mike Breaux
  • YouTube