Episode 52: Pastor Rob jumps back into Talking Church this week to discuss his new vision for 2023: Take Ground! Each year, Pastor Rob shares his vision message for our church, and the theme for the year. We commit to take ground in our church, communities, schools, country, and our world! As a Network, we are embodying this theme with tenacity and boldness, and we pray you will join us as we take ground this year!
Jan 24, 2023•29 min•Ep. 52
Episode 51: As a multi-site church, we get to minister to many different cultures of the cities around us! Our City Campus, which took ground in Minneapolis several years ago, is located in the heart of Minneapolis and sees a very different culture than some of our rural campuses. Pastor Anthony Cox is the campus pastor of our City Campus, and he sat down to break down his thoughts on pastoring an urban church, and how we can best serve the inner city communities. Whether you have a campus or ch...
Jan 17, 2023•32 min•Ep. 51
Episode 50: It is very important to recognize mental health, and the attacks of the enemy on the mental well being of our ourselves. Our special guest this week is none other than Detra Clark, who is a member of our church, and incredible christian therapist who has helped so many people with various mental struggles. Detra explains the significance of getting help as a Pastor and leader, so that you can run at the pace God has set before you!
Jan 10, 2023•37 min•Ep. 50
Episode 49: At River Valley, we love to host, and we desire to be great stewards of hosting our guests. To ring in the new year, Pastor Logan Ketterling sat down to explain the heart behind hosting well, why it is so important. Here are 10 ways to help your church host people best. We can't wait for you to listen!
Jan 03, 2023•17 min•Ep. 49
Episode 48: Happy New Year! Pastor Logan wanted to take this week to celebrate all that God has done this year in River Valley Network! As Pastor Logan breaks down these exciting stories, know you had a big part to play in making this year amazing. Whether you attended our events, gathered some resources, or listened to the podcast, we are so grateful to have connected with you this year. Our goal is to help equip you through the resources that we have to accomplish all God has called you to do....
Dec 27, 2022•30 min•Ep. 48
Episode 47: From all of us here at River Valley Network, we want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas. We are praying over your Christmas services, your congregation, your families, and your team! Let this be a time of rest as we point people to remember what this exciting season is all about!
Dec 20, 2022•2 min•Ep. 47
Episode 46: Pastor Kirk Graham, our Executive Pastor of Local Ministries & Creative, jumps back in the podcast to discuss staff meeting culture & staff discipleship. Pastor Kirk is gifted at energizing the congregation, our team, and other pastors, and he has so much to offer to you when it comes to lifting the culture of your meetings & atmosphere. We know this will rejuvenate you as you dream new ways to bring the most joy to your team, as that is what our God can bring to us each ...
Dec 13, 2022•33 min•Ep. 46
Episode 45: As a church, there can be what seems to feel like an unlimited number of events within the calendar year, let alone the calendar month! With all of your ministries going on, and each ministry needing weekly consistency combined with a few special events, it can be tricky to navigate planning the calendar. Our Associate Director of Experience, Michaela Johnson, and our Discipleship Pastor, Connor Ketterling, break down how River Valley plans their church-wide calendar, as well as thei...
Dec 06, 2022•37 min•Ep. 45
Episode 44: We are so excited to have Terry Parkman join us again for today's episode on what it truly means to disciple this next generation. Pastor Terry explains that our world today is post modernism, post church, and post truth. This means that culture today is moving from facts and truth and toward feelings, personal desires, and sin to be their truth. In the world's view, it doesn't matter what the facts say, because you can just create your own truth. The next generation is getting taugh...
Nov 29, 2022•36 min•Ep. 44
Episode 43: Happy Thanksgiving Week! We wanted to take this week to highlight a conversation that Pastor Logan and Pastor Rob had about Pastor Rob's latest book, "Keep the Change." Pastor Rob shares his heart behind writing the book and the lasting impact that it will have on you and your team. We are praying that you have a safe and relaxing week, enjoy family and friends, and eat some great food as we thank God for all that he has given us!
Nov 22, 2022•3 min•Ep. 43
Episode 42: Pastor Rob has been leading River Valley for well over 25 years. He has seen many changes in his staff, from healthy transitions to unhealthy transitions. In this episode, he breaks down all that he has learned from hiring and firing from his time in ministry. Hiring someone is an exciting and large step to take, as the people we hire in ministry are responsible for ministering to our congregations. Having to let people go is another challenge, and Pastor Rob speaks to it all as he h...
Nov 15, 2022•30 min•Ep. 42
Episode 41: We have a very special guest to introduce to you all today! Portia Allen has been in ministry for 12 years and leads alongside her husband Clinton here at River Valley Church. She has had the opportunity to speak in Minnesota and across the country and is passionate about uplifting and empowering people. As a pastors kid from Texas, she has a deep love for the church. Portia's passion for equipping and helping the church is very powerful. Her time with us in this episode will be very...
Nov 08, 2022•34 min•Ep. 41
Episode 40: Dr. Allen Tennison, a seasoned pastor & professor at North Central University, sits down for a conversation around what it means to be a pastor. Dr. Tennison beautifully explains the importance of both biblical and theological literacy, and how having this knowledge will benefit your church, your enrichment in God's heart, and how you can be best prepared to answer today's most difficult questions.
Nov 01, 2022•41 min•Ep. 40
Episode 39: Here at River Valley, we have a local outreach ministry called Serve Our Community. Vicki Hernandez is our pastor who oversees Serve Our Community, and we are so blessed to have her join us for this episode! Pastor Vicki breaks down the heart behind serving our community, the work it takes to coordinate and plan these events, and what pouring out does to the community and the church alike. When we give with our own time and energy, it is amazing what God does to our hearts and to the...
Oct 25, 2022•32 min•Ep. 39
Episode 38: Pastor Charlotte Gambill joins us today as we talk about recognizing the call of God on your life, and jumping into it with faith and joy. Charlotte Gambill is a renown author, speaker, and teaching pastor at Church of the Highlands, as well as building Life Church in the UK and the US. Pastor Charlotte discusses her experience in finding her calling, and the testimony on her life as it came to stepping out in boldness to be obedient to the Lord's guidance. She also dives into leader...
Oct 18, 2022•31 min•Ep. 38
Episode 37: Our Lead Care Pastors, Mark & Pam Johnson, sit down with us this week to discuss Pastoral Care. Pastors Mar & Pam balance Care ministry so well, and it can be challenging when dealing with the most difficult seasons in many lives. Here at River Valley, our Care pastors are not the only pastors who carry the weight of Care ministry. We are all called to care and minister to our congregation in moments of hardship, and to always know who your source is the only way to point peo...
Oct 11, 2022•32 min•Ep. 37
Episode 36: We are very honored to be joined by Pastor Oneka Mcclellan for this week's episode! Pastor Oneka shares her and her family's exciting journey in ministry. As they left something so secure in being the Executive Pastors at their old church, to go launch a new church, she explains the thoughts, emotions, and faith it took to obey the Lord's calling on their lives. Stepping out in faith is not easy, and Oneka talks about holding onto the Lord as you take each step!
Oct 04, 2022•32 min•Ep. 36
Episode 35: Welcome back to Talking Church! We are joined today by Pastor Gabi O'Rourke, our Lead Youth Pastor, and Andrew Snead, our Lead Go Kids Pastor, who break down their areas of Next Gen Ministry, and how we run our Next Gen play here at River Valley. Gabi & Andrew dive into the similarities and differences of their ministries, and they share the practical side of their ministries, as well as what is on their minds as they look toward the future of Next Gen ministry that lies ahead of...
Sep 27, 2022•35 min•Ep. 35
Episode 34: Logan and Pastor Rob sit down to discuss the season of uncertainty that we all are feeling right now. With inflation rising, the country at odds, and various markets falling, it can be difficult to find the courage to continue running the mission that God has called you to do. Pastor Rob shares the various "crises" that he has had to lead through over the years, and how we can practically prepare for them. Listen now with your key leaders, and prepare you and your church for all that...
Sep 20, 2022•29 min•Ep. 34
Episode 33: Listen in this week as Nathan Finochio and Logan dive deep into theology, the Bible and how our beliefs in it differ in culture's beliefs today, and how that relates to pastoring through these times with topics that can be difficult to navigate. Nathan gives clear insight on staying biblically literate as we navigate these questions that our world is asking, and why following the instructions of the Bible is the best way to live. Grab some friends and we pray this episode blesses you...
Sep 13, 2022•42 min•Ep. 33
Episode 32: This week's episode is very special, as evangelist and author John Bevere joins us to discuss the danger of compromising your conscience, accountability, work-ethic, and John's greatest goals in ministry. John articulates the responsibility that we have of listening to your conscience, and we pray that this conversation blesses you and your ministry! Listen now, and invite some friends or coworkers to listen with you!
Aug 30, 2022•27 min•Ep. 32
Episode 31: Services are such a crucial aspect of many of our ministries. Whether it be a Sunday service for your congregation, a worship service dedicated to seeking after God, or a big Christmas Eve service where families gather together under candlelight. Services are important, and much ministry happens before, during, and after service time. Aaron Johnson, our Local Creative Pastor, and Caleb Moore, our Production Lead, break down what goes through their minds as they map out each service h...
Aug 16, 2022•30 min•Ep. 31
Episode 30: On today's episode, we are joined by two of our 500 missionaries! Our "bullseye" at River Valley is to send out 500 missionaries from our church into the field. Our heart is global, and we are living to reach the lost! This family is passionate about reaching the buddhist world, and they share their testimony of their calling, their road to the field, the support they need, and the realness of what it feels like to be on the field. Listen now & join us in prayer as we learn about...
Aug 09, 2022•39 min•Ep. 30
Episode 29: River Valley Church's newest campus pastors Kaleb & Autumn Graham join us from Maple Grove, Minnesota, to discuss their journey to launch our newest campus in this past year! Maple Grove opened in the Spring of 2022, and the preparation leading to that date was nothing short than dedication, tenacity, and boldness, all covered by prayer. Has God given you the dream to plant a church or launch a campus someday? Listen and learn from these amazing pastors who are walking out that p...
Aug 02, 2022•37 min•Ep. 29
Episode 28: Pastor Rob Ketterling joins us again for a conversation on running efficiently in ministry while finding Godly rest. Resting as a Christ follower should be different from the world's interpretation, and for those in the ministry, resting should definitely look different. Logan and Pastor Rob discuss method's of rest that haven't worked, and they share the ways that do work for them now in their current seasons of life! Join in as we better ourselves for tomorrow by resting in the rig...
Jul 26, 2022•33 min•Ep. 28
Episode 27: Dr. Barnabas Mtokambali joins us for today's episode all the way from Tanzania! Dr. Barnabas is the leader of the Assemblies of God Tanzania, and he doesn't just have a vision to plant churches, but he is well n his way to plant 40,000 churches throughout Tanzania and Africa. As he breaks down his passion, his call, and his journey, ask yourself, what visions will God make a reality through me?
Jul 12, 2022•45 min•Ep. 27
Episode 26: Tune in on today's episode of Talking Church! We are very honored and excited to welcome our guest this week, Pastor Chris Hodges! Lead Pastor of Church of the Highlands in Birmingham, Alabama, Pastor Chris is here to talk with us about his perspective on the American Church today, how we can grow into being "seeker sensitive," and where he sees us as the church heading in the years ahead. Don't miss this episode, and let this bless you today!
Jun 28, 2022•36 min•Ep. 26
Episode 25: We are very excited to share with you all one of our highlighted breakout sessions from this past year's River Valley Conference! Our Executive Pastor of Local ministries at River Valley, Pastor Kirk Graham, shared his teaching on what it's like to be "on" in ministry. People are wired differently, and have different levels of communicating, but we believe that whether you are introverted or extroverted, you can still bring your best self when it comes to your ministry as you work wi...
Jun 21, 2022•37 min•Ep. 25
Episode 24: One important aspect of operating a church involves the buildings where you are located! River Valley Church's lead executive pastor, Chris Book, and River Valley's director of infrastructure, Lou Hernandez, help break down the importance of maintaining the facilities in which the church operates. They discuss some of the building projects that River Valley has had to tackle, some of the building purchases that we had to manage, and the spaces that we rent in and how we make the most...
May 10, 2022•36 min•Ep. 24
Episode 23: Pastor Rob Ketterling joins us again as we dive into an incredible conversation about what healthy accountability looks like. We look into accountability with your spouse, family, elders, staff members, your congregation, and more. There is so much happening in our world today, as the enemy is throwing everything at us to try to trip us up, and we need to be equipped with the armor of God in order to stay on mission for Jesus! We hope you feel inspired, informed, and ready to live wi...
May 03, 2022•37 min•Ep. 23
