200churches Podcast: Ministry Encouragement for Pastors of Small Churches

Mandy Smith, lead pastor of University Christian Church in Cincinnati OH joins the guys to talk about how our pining for "back to normal" might just be very like the Israelites' complaining in the wilderness and desiring to "back to Egypt". What if we've been broken out of our prison and bondage and have actually been set free to pursue a better land of ministry?

The basis for this conversation is from a post Mandy wrote for Missio Alliance. We hope you are challenged and encouraged to lead with new inspiration into the coming months!

Mandy joined us in the past on Episode 223 - There is Freedom in Transparency as a Pastor.

Dave Jacobs from SmallChurchPastor.com and the Small Church Pastor Facebook group joins Jeff and Jonny to share a very personal message. As believers and as pastors we don't always agree on doctrine, and the guys hope to model deep love and unity in spite of differing doctrinal positions. Jesus called his followers to be one, enjoying unity and love, so that the world would know that the Father sent Him! We hope you are challenged toward unity by this episode! With... a little fun too!

Jeff and Jonny talk about where they are at in the summer of 2020, and what Season 2, which starts in September 2020, will be about. It's a fun conversation about pastoral life in 2020. So as the guys preview what Season 2 of 200churches will be about, we must declare that Season 1 was 350 episodes long. So we got a little carried away...

Gary McIntosh from https://www.churchgrowthnetwork.com joins Jeff to talk about pastoral ministry, and some of the hiccups of megachurch pastors holding church growth conferences for small church pastors, plus much more! Jeff and Jonny share plans for the future of 200churches... spoiler alert - this episode, 350, ends Season 1!

Ken Roberts, from https://www.kenlroberts.com joins us to talk about suffering and struggle, growth, survival, and finishing well as pastors. This is so practical and encouraging!

Lyle Parker joins Jeff to talk about his health transformation - to give other pastors hope! Lyle was pushing 300 pounds, in pain, tired, and depressed. That was just seven months ago. Today he is 216 pounds, full of energy and life, and excited about physical activity, ministry, food, and his family. Listen to Lyle's story and accept his invitation to join him. Lyle listened to Episode 332 last fall and it changed his life!

Jeff and Jonny talk again with Dr. Jeannine Brown, author of The Gospel As Stories. This is a great conversation about interpreting and reading the Gospels! So much fun! Jeannine is a Professor of Greek and New Testament at Bethel Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. This one is our gift to you - Enjoy!

Jeff and Jonny invite Dave Jacobs, Master of Small Church Disaster and host of https://www.smallchurchpastor.com to talk about being the church and doing ministry in our current reality. Dave also is the creator of the Small Church Pastor group on Facebook, with over 5,000 members! Check out Dave's latest book for pastors of small churches - Second Thoughts: 100 Things Small Church Pastors Need To Reconsider!

Jeff shares how he plans to approach the coming months and how you can too!

Special short episode. Personal words from Jeff.