Studies indicate that upward of 85% of Protestant churches in the US have less than 200 members. This means many (if not most) pastors are serving in small context ministries, which bring unique challenges and stresses. An Author and Conference Leader, Pastor Chris Vitarelli has served in small (or “ordinary”) church contexts for over 20 years and has a passion to serve those who also minister in this context. We talk with him about his experiences, specific challenges of being in small church m...
Nov 10, 2020•53 min
Conflict hurts! According to our guest Dr. Daniel Borg, conflict “divides people, destroys careers, devastates friendships, and distracts churches from their God-given mission. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Jesus called His followers to unity, forgiveness, and reconciliation.” Sit with us as we talk with fellow PIR Regional Director Dan Borg, who has studied, taught and lived out conflict management. In this episode we discuss: · Why is church conflict so prevalent? Is it inevitable? Can i...
Oct 21, 2020•38 min
Who is PIR? We had a unique opportunity recently to sit down as a staff and share together. Included in this episode are introductions of the people in the ministry, motivations underlying our sense of call to serve PIR, how we feel our individual experiences have equipped us to serve others, some "success stories" of where God has used PIR, our perspectives of the current state of ministry challenges for pastors and what keeps us up at night as well as brings us hope, and what we would like pas...
Oct 02, 2020•39 min
Sharon Garlough Brown, award-winning author of the Sensible Shoes series, talks about her own experience as an author, a pastor, and spiritual director. We discuss the unique format of her spiritually formative fiction and why one of her characters struggles to find her identity in Christ as a pastor. Pastors will be challenged to ask the question, “who am I if I’m not a pastor?” Find out more about her books at sharongarloughbrown.com and her ministry at abidingway.life ....
Sep 08, 2020•32 min
Many times, the routines and rigors of ministry can tempt a pastor to give up. How much more during these demanding times when it seems like every decision is second guessed and every action is highly scrutinized. Before you give in to a sense of defeat, sit with Tom and Sean as they explore the hope Christ offers to those who are ready to toss in the towel.
Aug 25, 2020•33 min•Ep. 19
In part two of our interview with spiritual director, Joshua Banner, we talk about the importance of rest for pastors. We also talk about how to find a spiritual director and why it’s important to choose a director carefully. If you'd like to learn more about Spiritual Direction or access Josh's resources, visit his webpage The Invitation .
Aug 08, 2020•24 min
In this two-part interview with spiritual director, Joshua Banner, we explore the nature of spiritual direction and how it can help pastors find new hope in Christ. In part one, Josh explains what spiritual direction is and challenges us to think seriously about how aware we are of God’s presence.
Jul 30, 2020•25 min
Where does a pastor find hope and healing when life and ministry bring disappointment, discouragement and even displacement? In the arms of God’s grace as expressed in the Body of believers. Join us as we continue our conversation with Dr. Jim Amandus, the first Pastor In Residence. Jim shares how the local church can be a place of hope and healing for pastors and their spouses.
Jun 16, 2020•32 min
What does a pastor look like after a season of renewal and restoration? In this episode of Hope Renewed we talk with Dr. Jim Amandus, the first pastor to walk through the Pastor In Residence process. As a PIR, Jim and his wife were welcomed into a Refuge Church, given opportunity to both engage in ministry and find healing and restoration, and discern God’s next steps for them. His story is one of both struggle and hope, and a testimony to God’s redemptive work in and through His church....
Jun 02, 2020•30 min
Ministry abounds with expectations, but what can hide on the dark side of unmet or unrealistic ones can leave a pastor empty and losing heart. Discouragement lies along the path to compassion fatigue and burnout. While disappointment is normal and inevitable, a pastor needs to stand guard against discouragement. In this episode of Hope Renewed we explore where discouragement comes from, and what helps us to stand strong in the battle of hope.
May 05, 2020•31 min
This is the third installment of our discussion of Sean Nemecek’s article Searching for Shalom:The Importance of Sabbath Rest . Sean shares his experience of finding shalom in sabbath-keeping, as well as resources and tips for pastors to faithfully practice and develop sabbath rhythms in their life.
Apr 21, 2020•17 min
Pursuing Sabbath rest is an easily understood priority for a pastor. The tricky part is just how that actually gets done! In this continuation of a conversation with Sean Nemecek (pastorsoul.com) we explore the practical side of how to build Sabbath into a busy ministry lifestyle.
Mar 17, 2020•22 min
How well do Pastors care for their own soul, and just how is that done? In this first of 3 installments we talk with Sean Nemecek. Sean writes and resources on his website “The Pastor’s Soul” ( www.pastorsoul.com ) and is the newest Regional Director with PIR Ministries. Sean shares from his article “ Searching for Shalom: The Importance of Sabbath Rest .”...
Mar 04, 2020•20 min
Everyone in ministry has great hopes because we serve a great God! But what happens when the plans, programs and people you invest in fall well short of your hopes? Disappointments and let-downs can take a toll on our hearts, leading to a kind of sickness that robs us of our joy and passion in serving the Lord. In this episode of “Hope Renewed,” we explore the reality of deferred hopes and the remedy for a sick heart.
Oct 08, 2019•8 min
In the second part of our conversation with new PIR Board member Dr. Zack Eswine, he shares insight and encouragement for pastors and ministry leaders from his experience in life and ministry. Part 2 of 2.
May 22, 2019•28 min
PIR Ministries is happy to welcome Dr. Zack Eswine to our Board of Directors. We sat down with Zack and asked his perspective on the ministry of PIR and what he sees as the challenges facing pastors today. Part 1 of 2.
May 15, 2019•24 min
Sometimes we need to be reminded of basic truths about ourselves so we can be freed and encouraged to serve God with great joy. In this episode of “Hope Renewed” we offer 6 fundamentals of being human that can too easily get lost in ministry, and reminder that you are a person who fills a role.
Aug 24, 2018•11 min
Misunderstandings in ministry are all too common. What you say and what others hear can be two completely different things! How aware are you of that possibility, and the role you play? In this episode of Hope Renewed we consider the causes and cures that surround the Perception Gap.
Jun 12, 2018•10 min
An exit from ministry can cause trust to become a debilitating issue for pastors. In this episode of Hope Renewed we explore some signs to look for that trust has been lost, and ways to encourage and build trust as you seek healing and restoration.
Apr 23, 2018•10 min
Pastoral ministry can be very rewarding but feel very lonely. In this episode of Hope Renewed, we look at the realities and dangers of isolation in ministry and explore healthy ways to stay connected with God and others.
Mar 21, 2018•11 min
Just as we need a sense of our physical condition to know when we need a doctor, we must regularly assess the condition of our heart to stay in good spiritual health. In this episode, we explore some helpful questions and practices of Self Examination that can keep us from ministry maladies and spiritual sickness.
Feb 13, 2018•12 min
The idea and principle of Sabbath keeping is often incredibly difficult for ministry leaders to put into practice. Like Martha, the many good and necessary things of life can distract us from what’s best. Sabbath is about choosing the best among all the good and necessary things of life. It nurtures our soul and brings us hope. Roy Yanke continues this theme in this part of his message on Living According to God’s Sabbath Principle.
Jan 10, 2018•13 min•Season 1Ep. 2
From the moment of creation, God instilled a pattern – a rhythm – of work and rest for our lives. How well do we embrace that? In a continuation of Roy Yanke’s message on Living According to God’s Sabbath Principle, we’re encouraged to live into God’s perfect plan for His people.
Dec 15, 2017•14 min•Season 1Ep. 1
