Hope Renewed

60 million people live in rural America, making it a fertile field for ministry. But with country churches come country issues, which bring their own unique challenges and joys. The demands on a pastor serving in these contexts are often multiplied because of isolation, lack of resources and small-town community dynamics. What are some keys to thriving when God calls you to serve His church in what can feel like a far away place? Jon Sanders joins us to bring his insight, experience and enthusiasm to this question, and offers hope to country pastors.

Resources in this episode:

Small Town Big Church

Rural Matters Institute

When you think of concepts and practices that help pastors and ministry leaders find hope and thrive, perhaps neuroscience isn't among the immediate thoughts that comes to mind! Yet in the "uniquely and wonderfully made" way in which God has fashioned us, we are discovering the crucial connections between how Biblical truths about our lives and the physiological insights God is revealing about how our brains function are deeply and importantly related. In this fascinating episode of Hope Renewed, we talk with pastor and academic Dr. Charles Stone about his research and discoveries regarding the intersection of Biblical truth with brain insight (which he calls NeuroMinistry), and how pastors and ministry leaders can - by better knowing themselves - avoid common ministry pitfalls and grow in hope-giving, life-bringing practices. 

Link to Charles Stone resources.

What we often find in ministry life is that the circumstances and challenges we face aren't necessarily ones for which our training has prepared us. Having someone who can offer perspective, encouragement, guidance and perhaps a little advice is a HUGE help! Even for the "normal" work of ministry and leadership, a "seasoned and reasoned" voice - what we call a "Thinking Partner" - can be an invaluable asset for pastors and ministry leaders. I this episode we talk with Rev. Anne Horton and her coach Gail Goolsby, ACC about the unique dynamics and benefits of Clergy Coaching. They let us "peek inside" their well established and road-tested relationship and glean some of the insights of just what this type of partnership is, and why it works so well for those in ministry life.

Important Links for this episode:

PIR Clergy Coaching

Gail Goolsby's Website

What has it been like for you leading and ministering in this COVID season? Ministry can be stressful enough under normal circumstances. Add to it the weight and wait under which your ministry is currently being carried, and it can be a recipe for depression, frustration and burnout. How can you retain strength, vitality and resiliency in these difficult times? We sit down with Denny Howard of Full Strength Network, a partner in ministry with PIR. Denny walks us through the different types of stress faced by pastors and ministry leaders, gives us insights into identifying the often dangerous effects stress can cause, and equips us with healthy strategies to do well in difficult times. This timely episode provides much needed perspectives and truths to rise above the weights and waits, and minister fully in the strength Christ provides!

Links to resources in this episode:

Full Strength Network

Denny's book At Full Strength

The free At Full Strength Workbook

Life and Ministry Domains Assessment

If you’re in pastoral or ministry leadership, the church needs you to be healthy. Research shows there are certain keys to cultivating a sustainable, sacrificial yet fulfilling ministry and a key among them is Resilience. How do you seek resilience in ministry as a pastor or ministry leader? What does self-care look like when a pandemic has disrupted everything you do? How do you care for all of the needs out there and also take care of yourself? In this sacrificial calling, how might the cross and our union with Christ point a way forward? In this episode we sit down with Darrell Yoder, Instructor of Christian Ministries and Director of the Pirsig Fellowship and Talking Points Conferences at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary. He introduces us to significant resources that can encourage and equip you for Resilience in Ministry.

Link to the Talking Points resources on Resilience in Ministry: www.cornerstone.edu/resilience/

RESILIENCE: FINDING WHOLENESS IN

Joe Chambers is on a journey. 

A self-described "pilgrim on his way home to the Kingdom of the Heaven", Joe shares a story of the highs and lows of pastoral ministry, and the restorative nature of God's grace. Join us a we walk with Joe through his experience and discovery of the depths of God's love, and the hope found in Jesus alone.

Links

Joe's book: Field Notes on the Jesus Way

Joe's BLOG

CrossRoads Counseling of the Rockies

A New Year seems to always bring with it a sense of looking forward to new hopes, new thoughts and new opportunities. How much more in 2021! On the cusp of this new and promising year, we thought it would be a great opportunity to revisit Who We Are as Pastor-in-Residence Ministries, and how we might best serve you in this New Year. Executive Director Roy Yanke sits down with us to offer an overview of PIR, the resources and tools we provide, and the encouragement God offers in and through this part of His Kingdom work.

Without fail the holiday season comes each year, and with it heightened expectations and stress in ministry. This year is especially challenging with the extra layers of complications due to pandemic protocols. While "making it through" the holidays might seem like the order of the day we at PIR want to encourage you to recover well from what may have been a hectic and draining time, and enter the next season with vigor and enthusiasm! Dan Borg joins Sean and Tom to talk about the pulls and strains of holiday ministry and how to bounce back better than before as you anticipate the New Year. 

Steve Cuss is a Pastor, Author and Spiritual Care Professional who has a deep passion for ministry leaders. His particular concern is to bring relief from the pressures of ministry that weigh heavily on leaders by equipping them with tools for individual and team health. In this episode of Hope Renewed we sit down with Steve and talk about the various aspects of leadership anxiety that can war against ministry health, and explore some specific tools that help reframe our management of that anxiety and lead to places of strength and peace in ministry.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Steve Cuss webpage

CAPable Life

The Leader's Journey

From time to time on Hope Renewed we have the opportunity to sit down with pastors and talk with them about navigating the challenges of serving in the church from the viewpoints and experiences of those who are on the "frontline" in local church ministry. We're able to hear their sometimes painful stories and how they have found hope to sustain and strengthen them for the long haul. This episode is a conversation with Sean's good friend Pastor Doug Smith, serving in McBain MI.