200churches Podcast: Ministry Encouragement for Pastors of Small Churches

Pastor Bryan and Tammy came to Red Lodge Alliance Church in the year 2000. They raised their boys in Red Lodge and have become a constant presence of love and faith in the community. Pastor Bryan, in his quiet and unassuming way, shares his story of consistency and faithfulness as pastor of this church that welcomes outsiders who've moved in as well as long established Red Lodge residents.

As the pastor of a 200church, Bryan has been a participant listener to our podcast. It didn't take long for Jeff to realize that Bryan possesses those very qualities that bring strength to local church leadership and provides an environment of love and acceptance to its members.

Thanks for introducing us to you and your ministry Bryan - and we honor you with this episode for your love and service to the people of Red Lodge and to your church family at Red Lodge Alliance Chapel! May God bless you and Tammy and your family for your faithfulness!

Dan Reiland wrote a unique kind of book last year - a devotional book specifically for leaders! He has never written one like it, and it is to nurture the hearts of leaders in 2022, when they might be beaten down some by the past few years. Jeff and Jonny spoke with him for Jeff's "Coaching For Pastors" podcast, but they intended to air it on the 200churches Podcast as well - and this is that episode!

Here's the link to Dan's new book: https://www.amazon.com/Leadership-Alone-Isnt-Enough-Strengthen/dp/1664261478/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2KEL5XZCT9PZC&keywords=leadership+alone+isnt+enough&qid=1651086964&s=books&sprefix=leadership+alone%2Cstripbooks%2C62&sr=1-1

Dan is the founder of https://www.danreiland.com and the Executive Pastor at https://www.12stone.com. 

Jeff kicked off the Coaching For Pastors Podcast as a daily podcast for pastors - two months ago on March 7. Since then, there have been Monday-Friday episodes that are all under 10 minutes per episode, and a Saturday "Weekend Edition" episode that is long form and includes a conversation with a guest who has expertise to bring to the ministry conversation.

Today, on Episode 380 - I include one of the weekday episodes, and one of the Weekend Edition episodes - two FULL episodes - all on Episode 380 of the 200churches Podcast! I want you to experience the Coaching For Pastors Podcast and what you are missing if you are not subscribed to it.

You can subscribe to "Coaching For Pastors" wherever you listen to your podcasts.

What a fantastic conversation this is with Cherith Nordling, theologian, professor, mentor, author, and lover of Jesus and his Church. This is her 3rd appearance on our podcast, having joined us for episodes 231 & 264 in 2017/2018.  She is on a teaching team for the upcoming Hebrews Class at the OpenTableConference.com where her bio says this:

Cherith is a theologian, writer, and mentor in Christian formation with a Ph. D. from the University of St. Andrews. Most recently she served as Associate Professor of Theology at Northern Seminary in Lisle, Illinois. She also taught for five years at Calvin College and Seminary while serving as Co-Director of Christian Formation with her husband, Robert. She has taught as adjunct professor at numerous other institutions and continues as a seasonal lecturer for Regent College, Vancouver, BC and for the YWAM Masters Program in Christian Formation.

Open your heart, your imagination, and your love for God... and enjoy!

Jeff and Jonny talk about making ministry changes in a church, but first asking the question - "Is it worth it?" Is the cost you will have to pay to make the change, worth the benefit that will result, and how do you determine that?

Jonny remembered literally all the way back to Episode 02 - Handling Sacred Cows In Your Church, and decided this episode is the part 2 update on sacred cows in the church!

Maybe you have some changes you want to make in your ministry, and you are trying to decide if the cost is worth the benefit - and perhaps this episode will help you process through that. It's been a long time since the guys created an episode without another guest - and this was FUN!

Today Jeff talks to pastors about two fundamentals that transform us - meditating on God's Word, and meditating on a question... listen to learn the question! :-)

Enjoy!

Mark Messmore is the lead pastor of Mount Olivet Christian Church in Williamstown KY. Mark talks with Jeff and Jonny about his adventures in ministry - like writing a book on preaching titled Simple Preaching Prep - A guide to finish your first sermon and flourish beyond, and also dueling with the challenges of ministry and personal life.

Mark shares openly from a very vulnerable place, in a way that connects others to him through weakness and not strength. This episode is going to encourage everyone who has ever struggled through the challenges of leading a church while at the same time fighting their own personal battles.

Jeremy Norton is the lead pastor at Mountainview Church in White Horse, the Yukon Territory, Canada. Check out what Jeremy is doing in the video on THIS PAGE. It is really encouraging that he and his church are reaching out to the northern areas of Canada to evangelize and disciple all people.

Jeremy has been a "friend of the podcast" for many years, and appeared also on episodes 233 and 329. We know you'll enjoy Jeremy's story! Also, Jeremy's book, Northern Roads - A Journey of Life and Leadership Serving on the 60th Parallel is available where all books are sold!

Jeff and Jonny talk with Dr. Doug Bursch about his latest book titled Posting Peace - Why Social Media Divides Us and What We Can Do About It. Doug has extensively researched, written, and considered the impact of social media on our culture and churches. He suggests a redemptive approach toward social media by Christians. Since the most important conversations are happening online, he does not want to be absent from them, but he wants to interject love, peace, and reconciliation while engaging in those very conversations.

Doug is direct and clear in his dialogue with the guys, and they think you will find this episode extremely thought provoking and instructive. This will be one of those very helpful and encouraging episodes dealing with the very struggles of our day as pastors. Enjoy!

And, pick up Doug's book, Posting Peace, here! 

Craig T. Owens is a Michigan pastor and author of Shepherd Leadership - The Metrics That Really Matter.  Craig talks about how pastors can measure church and ministry health in our post-pandemic reality. Craig led his church through a lot of change over the past two years and eventually into a new facility. We discuss Craig's book and the metrics that point to a healthy ministry. Enjoy!