Michigan Ministry Network L3 Podcast

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

Today Pastor Aaron is joined by veteran pastor and missionary David Thompson to share stories of God's faithfulness and the power of personal evangelism. After pastoring in Michigan for decades, Dave answered a lifelong call to missions near the age of 50 and spent over 24 years serving in Africa. He shares incredible stories of supernatural provision during his itineration, from a church of six people faithfully supporting him for over two decades to receiving an unexpected ten thousand dollar check in a church parking lot. Pastor Aaron and Dave also discuss the vital importance of pastors being personal soul winners. If you need a reminder to trust God's provision and pay attention to the daily opportunities to share Jesus right in front of you, this episode is packed with wisdom.

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 Pastor Aaron continues the conversation with Dr. Brian Lidbeck. In part two of this series on the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, they tackle the practical challenge of leading a church into a deeper experience with the Spirit without relying on emotionalism or past experiences. Dr. Lidbeck discusses why churches often drift away from teaching on the Holy Spirit and outlines a roadmap for pastors who want to safely and consistently introduce their congregations to Spirit-filled ministry. They talk about how to intentionally plan for altar times, how to help people feel safe to respond, and the critical importance of a lead pastor’s own spiritual hunger. If you’ve felt stuck in your ministry and want to lead your church to experience more of God's power, this episode will challenge you to step out of your comfort zone and trust the Holy Spirit to move.

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 Pastor Aaron is joined by Dr. Brian Lidbeck, Academic Dean at Northpoint College and a veteran pastor with 24 years of ministry experience in Michigan. In part one of this two part series, they dive into the theology and practical understanding of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. Dr. Lidbeck, author of the recent book "Making Sense of Speaking in Tongues," helps demystify this core doctrine. They discuss how the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is distinct from salvation, serving instead as an empowering work designed to give believers the boldness to be effective witnesses. If you want to deepen your theological understanding and learn how to better communicate the power of the Holy Spirit to your church, this episode is a fantastic resource.

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 Pastor Aaron is joined by Pastor Jared Stepp, Lead Pastor at Journey Life Church. Together, they explore the essential art of preaching and preparing effective sermons. Pastor Jared emphasizes that the primary purpose of a sermon is to facilitate a genuine encounter with God, and how that goal must shape both your preparation and delivery. Pastor Jared shares practical tools for honing your communication skills, including the humility to ask for regular, honest feedback and the willingness to pivot when the Holy Spirit leads. If you are a communicator looking to elevate your preaching and deepen its impact, this episode provides actionable advice to help you become a more effective messenger of God's Word.

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 Pastor Aaron sits down with Pastor Tanisha Finley for a highly relatable conversation about the elusive goal of balance. Pastor Tanisha wears a lot of hats, serving as a presbyter, a student ministry pastor all while working a full time job. Pastors Aaron and Tanisha dive into the realities of managing a demanding schedule alongside a bustling family life. They discuss the practical ways credential holders who work outside the church can successfully juggle their diverse responsibilities without dropping the ball. If you constantly feel pulled in a dozen different directions and need encouragement on how to make it all work, this 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.

Today Pastor Aaron welcomes back Pastor Brad Trask for part two of their conversation on leading a church through tragedy. In this deeply moving episode, Pastor Brad shares the harrowing story of an unexpected, severe crisis that deeply impacted a family in his congregation. He details the immediate pastoral response, the long journey of walking with the survivors through the aftermath, and how the church community powerfully rallied to support them. Pastors Aaron and Brad also discuss the immense emotional toll these traumatic events take on a pastor's mental health. They highlight the importance of seeking professional counseling and explain why taking time to heal is an absolute spiritual necessity. If your church has experienced severe trauma or you want to be prepared to minister to grieving families, this episode offers vital wisdom.

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 Pastor Aaron sits down with Pastor Bradley Trask, for part one of a two part conversation on navigating church tragedies. Pastor Brad shares the heartbreaking experience of an unimaginable tragedy that struck his congregation, the intense and necessary response that followed, and the weight of ministering to an entire church while trying to navigate the emotional toll as a leader. They discuss the unique challenges of being present for an extended period of grief, ensuring you don’t delay your own emotional health, and why taking time for spiritual and emotional renewal is crucial. If you’ve experienced tragedy in your church, or you simply want to learn how to lead through the unthinkable, this conversation is an absolute must-listen.

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, Pastor Aaron is joined by Pastor Donny Lackey, a ministry veteran with over 30 years of experience who currently serves at Mount Hope Church in Portland, Michigan. In this episode, they discuss the complex process of leading a historic church through a comeback. Pastor Donny shares his firsthand experience of navigating the crucial (and often bumpy) transition into a church that has encountered a downturn in its "life cycle," emphasizing the absolute necessity of resting, observing, and taking the temperature of the congregation before initiating major changes. They also discuss the importance of moving beyond a "survival mindset," and how to manage the pace of change without outrunning your congregation. If you are pastoring a revitalization church and feel overwhelmed by the task ahead, this conversation will give you the practical wisdom and encouragement you need to stay the course.

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 Pastor Aaron is joined by Pastor Kurt Cullison of Grace Valley Church to discuss resilience and church revitalization. Pastor Kurt shares his twelve year journey of leading a historic Saginaw congregation out of a massive downturn and back to health. Pastors Aaron and Kurt explore the emotional toll of pastoring in survival mode, how to honor a church's past while boldly changing its culture, and the absolute necessity of avoiding isolation during hard seasons. If you are leading a church turnaround or just need a fresh boost of hope, this conversation is exactly what 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, Pastor Aaron is joined by Amanda Mauricio, Executive Pastor at Bethany Assembly. Pastor Amanda shares her experience leading alongside her Senior Pastor and outlines what it takes to effectively drive the vision of the church forward. They tackle the necessity of being in radical alignment with your lead pastor, how to bridge the gap between vision and logistics without quenching the fire, and why understanding the different temperaments on your team is essential for healthy communication. She also shares practical advice for Executive Pastors on how to manage their own spiritual and emotional health while carrying the weight of the church's operations. If you serve in an executive or associate role or if you are a lead pastor wanting to better understand and support your second-in-command, this conversation is packed with valuable insights.

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