“In this season finale, Pastors Alan Hannah and Spencer Sweeting pull back the curtain on pastoral life — the calling, the cost, and the joy of leading God’s people with honesty, humor, and hope.”
In This Episode:
-Steelers, Packers and a pastoral wager
-When Communion goes wrong
-Social media’s impact and the cultural pressure to “speak out”
-The difference between personal conviction and biblical responsibility
-What pastors actually do during the week
-The beauty (and challenge) of church diversity
-Understanding big vs. small church dynamics
-The fivefold gifts from Ephesians 4 — apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers
-Why not every pastor can (or should) be great at all five
-The importance of humility, empathy, and equipping the saints
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome & Pastor Appreciation Month Treats
02:20 The World’s Crunchiest Communion Bread
04:30 Steelers Vs. Packers (Again) And A Pastoral Wager
08:13 Episode Theme: A Look Behind The Curtain Of Ministry Life
10:55 Social Media Pressures, “Speak Up Or Else,” And The Danger Of Consumer Christianity
17:34 Why Pastors Can’t Address Every Cultural Moment
21:32 Being Pro-Life “From Womb To Tomb”
24:31 Unity, Diversity, And The Apostle Paul’s Challenge
26:30 What Pastors Really Do Mon.–Sat.: Preacher, Shepherd, Leader
39:51 Shepherding The Church: What Care Looks Like In A Large Congregation
44:34 Why Pastors Can’t Do It All-And That’s Okay
47:42 The Importance Of Phone Calls, Handwritten Notes, And Presence
49:32 The “CEO” Role: Leadership, Organization, And Stewardship
52:00 Ephesians 4 And The Fivefold Ministry
1:06:02 Big Vs. Small Churches – Dynamics And Misconceptions
1:14:04 Urban Ministry; Diversity And Discomfort
1:29:53 The Call For More Pastors – Encouragement For The Next Generation
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Follow Alan Hannah: @alan_hannah
Follow Spencer Sweeting: @spencersweeting
Key Quotes:
“If your pastor doesn’t say what you want them to say, that doesn’t make them unfaithful — it might make them wise.”
“Every church has a context. Urban, suburban, rural — none of them are better, just different.”
“Our job isn’t to do all the ministry. It’s to equip the saints for the work of ministry.”
“In a multi-cultural church, you have to get comfortable being uncomfortable — that’s how we grow in grace.”
Resources Mentioned:
-Ephesians 4:11–12 – The fivefold gifts of the Church
-Tim Keller: Church Size Dynamics – Article on church leadership and growth https://seniorpastorcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Tim-Keller-Size-Dynamics.pdf
-Romans 12:18 – “As far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
-Christian Counselors Collaborative – https://www.cccpgh.org
