After 20 months (since April 2023), I’m back. At least for today. No commitments yet, but I am taking today to talk with you about what we’re called to. I get to that at about the 6 or 7-minute mark. Where have I been? I’ve been right here the whole time, not recording. My opulent and luxurious podcast studio has sat quietly by while I have committed myself other things – like grandkids and ministry. I think I also just needed a break, but it was too long. I’ve really missed this Coaching For Pa...
Jan 02, 2025•20 min•Ep. 240
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 ...
Apr 21, 2023•9 min•Ep. 239
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! Support the show For more great content and conversations for pastors, check out the over 400 episodes of the 200churches Podcast !...
Apr 04, 2023•13 min•Ep. 238
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! Support the show For more great content and conversations for pastors, check out the over 400 episodes of the 200churches Podcast !...
Mar 17, 2023•9 min•Ep. 237
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 co...
Mar 11, 2023•47 min0
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 ...
Mar 09, 2023•7 min•Ep. 236
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... Support the show For more great content and conversations for pastors, check out the over 400 episodes of the 200churches ...
Mar 06, 2023•12 min•Ep. 235
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... Support the show For more great content and conversations for pastors, check out the over 400 episodes of the 200churches Podcast !...
Mar 04, 2023•10 min0
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...
Mar 03, 2023•9 min•Ep. 234
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. Support the show For more great content and conversations for pastors, check out the over 400 episodes of the 200churches Podcast !
Mar 02, 2023•13 min•Ep. 233
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 ...
Feb 28, 2023•13 min•Ep. 232
(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! Support the show For more gre...
Feb 25, 2023•27 min0
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! Support the show For more great content and conversations for pastors, check out the over 400 episodes of the 200churches Podcast !
Feb 24, 2023•10 min•Ep. 231
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! Support the show F...
Feb 21, 2023•11 min•Ep. 230
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... Support the show For more great content and conversations for pastors, check out...
Feb 16, 2023•10 min•Ep. 229
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! Support the show For more great content and conversations for pastors, check out the over 400 episodes of the 200churches Podcast !
Feb 15, 2023•16 min•Ep. 228
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! Support the show For more great content and conversations for pastors, check ...
Feb 14, 2023•11 min•Ep. 227
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! Support the show For more great content and conversations for pastors, check out the over 400...
Feb 13, 2023•8 min•Ep. 226
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 ! Support the show For more great conten...
Feb 11, 2023•48 min0
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... Support the show For more great content and conversations for pastors, check out the over 400 episodes of the 200churches Podcast !
Feb 10, 2023•11 min•Ep. 225
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... enjo...
Feb 08, 2023•12 min•Ep. 224
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. Support the show For more great content and con...
Feb 07, 2023•11 min•Ep. 223
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. Support the show For more great content and conversations for pastors, check out the over 400 episodes of the 200churches Podcast !...
Feb 03, 2023•9 min•Ep. 222
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! Support the show For more great content and conversations for pastors, check out the over 400 episodes of the 200churches Podcast !...
Feb 02, 2023•5 min•Ep. 221
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! Support the show For more great content and conversations for pastors, check out the over 400 episodes of the 200churches Podcast !...
Feb 01, 2023•15 min•Ep. 220
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 tomo...
Jan 31, 2023•9 min•Ep. 219
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! Support the show For more great content and conversations for pastors, check out th...
Jan 30, 2023•13 min•Ep. 218
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 show For more great content and conversations for pastors, check out the ...
Jan 28, 2023•15 min0
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! :-) Support the show For more great content and conversations for pastors, check out the over 400 episodes of the 200churches Podcast !
Jan 27, 2023•7 min•Ep. 217
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... Support the show For more great content and conversations for pastors, che...
Jan 26, 2023•11 min•Ep. 216
