How do you successfully navigate the long, dark tunnel of depression? With over 40% of pastors reporting suffering with depression, answering this question correctly is of utmost importance. In today’s episode we continue our compelling conversation with Dave Barringer about the epidemic of these twin evils in today’s culture. Dave gives us practical tips on how to get and stay mentally/emotionally healthy.

Depression and anxiety are waging war on the wellbeing of adults and young people in our country. We feel these twin evils are at epidemic proportions – 33% of Americans report suffering with symptoms of depression. In today’s episode we welcome Dave Barringer to the mic for Part 1 of our conversation around this most important subject. Dave unpacks his journey with depression in such a powerful way that you will want to share this podcast with your friends and family.

At the beginning of every year, we take the first two episodes to reflect on the biggest lessons we learned in the previous year. Last week in Episode 219 we considered the first two indelible lessons from 2023: First, refuse to put God in a box. Second, to move forward, you must let go of something. Today in Episode 220 we unpack the next two indelible lessons. Believing with you for an amazing 2024!

It’s our tradition to take the first two episodes of the year to reflect on the biggest lessons we learned in the previous year. These are indelible takeaways we aspired to carry forward into 2024. We’ll unpack two takeaways today in episode 219, and 2 more in Episode 220 next week. Happy New Year!

It’s December 19th, six days before Christmas. This time of year can get very busy for pastors. Extra events at church. Extra events with family and friends. Finishing up the year and planning for next year. In today’s episode John & Jim talk about the subject of Holiday Rhythms and suggest three important ideas leaders may want to consider regarding the last 12 days of 2023.

Today we welcome Daniel Whitehead, CEO of Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries back to the mic. In Part 2 of our conversation with Daniel, we explore what is contributing to the worldwide challenges we face with anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. And then we lay out a practical strategy pastors can take to help those suffering with these evil triplets in the churches they lead.

Today we welcome Daniel Whitehead, CEO of Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries to the mic. In Part 1 of our conversation with Daniel, we unpack what is happening—in the arena of wellbeing—in the lives of people who attend the churches we lead. We hope you enjoy this powerful episode!

The average age of a clergy member today is 57, compared to age 50 in 2000 Half of all American pastors today are older than age 55. These realities are ubiquitous across almost every denomination. And it begs the question: Is the talent pool merely shallow? Is God not calling enough leaders into vocational ministry? Or . . . is the talent pool afraid? Afraid to take on a role that while extremely fulfilling, also carries with it a lot of complexity? In Part Two of their conversation around engaging the next generation of leaders, John & Jim unpack helpful answers to the question posed to more than twenty young leaders: “What would you say to pastors who want to engage and enlist a younger generation?”.

Everywhere we turn, it seems the alarm is sounding about the graying of pastors. Legitimate concerns exist, including, “What happens if at some point we don’t have enough qualified leaders?” In today’s episode, we begin a two-part conversation on this most important subject: Engaging and Incorporating the Next Generation of Leaders.

The average age of a clergy member today is 57, compared to age 50 in 2000 (Lifeway Research). Half of all American pastors today are older than age 55. In 1992, 24% of all American pastors were older than 55 (Barna). One of the impacts of these alarming trends? The pastor talent pool is getting shallow. Every denomination is dealing with a leadership shortage. In today’s episode, John and Jim unpack the talent shortage issue and offer four things all of us can do to help address this clear and present danger to the health and well-being of the local church.