Welcome to the L3 Podcast! We hope this podcast will be helpful to both you and your ministry.

Today, Pastor Aaron Hlavin takes the mic to discuss the very heart of pastoral ministry: Loving and caring for people intentionally. In the busyness of church administration, sermon prep, and weekly programming, it is incredibly easy to start viewing people as projects, problems, or simply numbers in a crowd rather than individuals who need a shepherd. In this episode, Pastor Aaron challenges leaders to return to the core of their calling. He shares practical strategies for cultivating genuine compassion, building authentic relationships, and demonstrating intentional care to your congregation and community.

For more information on the Michigan Ministry Network, please go to our website at mmn.ag.

Welcome to the L3 Podcast! We hope this podcast will be helpful to both you and your ministry.

Today, Pastors Aaron Hlavin and Jim Riley discuss a foundational, yet often neglected, aspect of leadership: Building personal spiritual disciplines. As ministers, it is incredibly easy to become so consumed with feeding others that we forget to feed ourselves. When our personal time with God becomes nothing more than sermon preparation, our spiritual vitality inevitably begins to fade. In this episode, Pastor Aaron explores the critical importance of cultivating daily habits such as intentional prayer, reading Scripture for personal growth, fasting, and practicing solitude that sustain and anchor our souls. If you are feeling spiritually dry or simply want to deepen your daily connection with Christ, this essential conversation will encourage you to prioritize the disciplines that fuel a healthy, long term ministry.

For more information on the Michigan Ministry Network, please go to our website at mmn.ag.

Welcome to the L3 Podcast! We hope this podcast will be helpful to both you and your ministry.

Today, we are joined once again by Pastor Aaron Hlavin to explore the second crucial element in maintaining our focus and overcoming the things that make us angry in ministry: Keeping our attention on Jesus. In the midst of the demands, pressures, and constant activity of pastoral leadership, it is alarmingly easy to let the work for the Lord slowly replace our relationship with the Lord. Pastors Aaron and Jim discuss why this shift in focus is one of the most dangerous and subtle traps for a minister. They unpack how the very things meant to be expressions of our faith like preaching, planning, and leading can quietly become the focus of our identity and attention. If you’ve ever found yourself more consumed by the logistics of church than the presence of Christ, or more frustrated by the people you are leading than fulfilled by the one you are serving, this episode will challenge and encourage you to re-center your heart on Jesus.

For more information on the Michigan Ministry Network, please go to our website at mmn.ag.

Welcome to the L3 Podcast! We hope this podcast will be helpful to both you and your ministry.

Today, we have a special guest host, Pastor Jim Riley with special guest Pastor Aaron Hlavin! Today we dive into the essential topic of developing discernment in ministry. In a culture filled with competing voices and complex pastoral challenges, the ability to clearly hear and recognize the direction of the Holy Spirit is more critical than ever. This episode explores practical ways leaders can cultivate spiritual discernment to navigate difficult decisions, distinguish between good opportunities and God ordained directions, and protect the overall health of their church. If you are seeking greater clarity, wisdom, and spiritual insight for your leadership journey, this focused discussion will provide the encouragement you need.

For more information on the Michigan Ministry Network, please go to our website at mmn.ag.

Welcome to the L3 Podcast! We hope this podcast will be helpful to both you and your ministry.

Today, we are joined by Jenny Rodgers to explore a transformative element of church culture: The power of hospitality. While many churches believe that having a few friendly greeters is enough, true biblical hospitality goes far beyond a handshake and a smile at the door. Pastor Aaron and Jenny unpack the difference between simply being polite and creating an intentionally welcoming environment where every guest feels seen, valued, and loved. They share practical insights on how to remove barriers for first time visitors from the parking lot to the sanctuary, so that people are open and ready to experience the Gospel. If you want to elevate your church's guest experience and build a culture where people truly feel they belong, you won't want to miss this engaging conversation.

For more information on the Michigan Ministry Network, please go to our website at mmn.ag.

Welcome to the L3 Podcast! We hope this podcast will be helpful to both you and your ministry.

Today, we are joined by author and speaker Ron Sandison to discuss a crucial and often overlooked area of ministry: Serving autistic adults in your church. While many churches have developed wonderful special needs programs for children, neurodivergent adults can easily fall through the cracks. Pastor Aaron and Ron explore practical ways to move beyond mere accommodation to true integration, empowering autistic adults to use their unique gifts and talents to serve the Kingdom. Drawing from his own personal journey with autism, Ron shares invaluable insights on creating welcoming environments, fostering genuine community, and breaking down the stigmas surrounding neurodiversity. If you want to build a church culture where every individual feels valued, understood, and equipped for ministry, this eye-opening episode is for you.

For more information on the Michigan Ministry Network, please go to our website at mmn.ag.

Welcome to the L3 Podcast! We hope this podcast will be helpful to both you and your ministry.

We are back for Part 2 of our vital conversation with Jason Tourville on The health and welfare of pastors and churches. Building on the foundation laid in our previous episode, Pastors Aaron and Jason dive deeper into the practical and systemic ways we can protect our leaders and build resilient ministries. They shift the focus toward how church boards, leadership teams, and congregations can actively champion their pastor's well-being rather than just consuming their energy. From navigating the necessity of sabbaticals and professional counseling to setting healthy boundaries and breaking the stigma around mental health in ministry, this episode provides a clear roadmap for long-term endurance. If you want to build a church culture that helps both leaders and congregations truly thrive, don't miss the conclusion of this powerful discussion.

For more information on the Michigan Ministry Network, please go to our website at mmn.ag.

Welcome to the L3 Podcast! We hope this podcast will be helpful to both you and your ministry.

Today, we are joined by Jason Tourville, our speaker from Refresh, to tackle one of the most vital topics in ministry today: The health and welfare of pastors and churches. It is incredibly common for leaders to pour so much into their congregations that they find their own spiritual, emotional, and physical reserves running empty. Pastors Aaron and Jason discuss the realities of pastoral burnout, the direct connection between a healthy leader and a thriving church, and why prioritizing your own well-being is essential for long-term ministry. They unpack practical strategies for protecting your personal life, finding true rest, and building a culture of health within your leadership team. If you are feeling the weight of ministry demands or simply want to establish more sustainable rhythms for the future, this vital conversation is for you.

For more information on the Michigan Ministry Network, please go to our website at mmn.ag.

Welcome to the L3 Podcast! We hope this podcast will be helpful to both you and your ministry.

Today, we are joined by Yolanda Mendez, Executive Pastor at Blue Roof Church in St. Joseph, Michigan, to discuss the inseparable twin engines of church growth: Evangelism and Discipleship. Is evangelism just an event on the calendar, or is it a lifestyle of proximity? Pastor Yolanda shares how her church uses interest-based "Blue Groups", from pickleball to crafting, to create natural opportunities for the Gospel by simply doing life with people. Pastors Aaron and Yolanda discuss why compassion must be the fuel for evangelism, the critical "warm transfer" into discipleship, and why the window to connect a new believer to a friend has shrunk from six months to just three. If you are looking for practical ways to move your congregation from sitting in rows to serving in circles, this episode is packed with wisdom.

Contact Yolanda Mendez:

Email: [email protected]

For more information on the Michigan Ministry Network, please go to our website at mmn.ag.

Welcome to the L3 Podcast! We hope this podcast will be helpful to both you and your ministry.

Today, we are joined by David Miranda, a veteran financial advisor with over 24 years of experience specializing in helping individuals, and specifically ministers, navigate retirement planning. Let’s face it: many pastors are so focused on serving others that they neglect their own financial future, often believing that ministry means a vow of poverty or that retirement is just "working until I die." David Miranda challenges these misconceptions, offering crucial advice on how pastors can steward their personal finances with excellence. Pastors Aaron and David discuss the "80-10-10 rule," the vital importance of managing cash flow to become debt-free, and why pastors need to view themselves as worthy of investment. Whether you are just starting out or nearing retirement, this episode provides practical, biblical wisdom to help you build a secure financial foundation for your family and your future ministry.

For more information on the Michigan Ministry Network, please go to our website at mmn.ag.