Wade Bearden is the Co-Founder of Ministry Pass and Sermonary and he's a volunteer member of his church's preaching team. Out of Bible college, Wade spent time in ministry before diving in full-time to develop resources for church leaders. In this episode, you'll be inspired by Wade's journey in ministry and you'll hear his heart for bringing together the two important worlds of rich theology and powerful storytelling.

I'm excited to share this with you today and I hope it is such an encouragement to you in your ministry!

Check out my takeaways and links to anything mentioned in today's show notes: https://www.95network.org/blog/wade-bearden-11

No one ever expects to be told they're dying.

Greg Allen is a 31-year ministry veteran and currently serves as the Lead Pastor at St. Ann's Community Church in Ontario, CA. In the midst of what's already been a difficult year, Greg received a terminal diagnosis of mesothelioma and is currently going through clinical trials of a new treatment to potentially extend his life.

In this episode, you'll discover that Greg still holds an incredibly positive outlook on life and his current situation and is still doing his best to serve the Lord to his fullest. Greg shares a little bit about his personal story of ministry and some of the lessons he's currently learning as he navigates this health journey. I know you'll be encouraged by this conversation, just as I was.

P.S. As he shares in the episode, today (Thursday, November 11), Greg has his surgery to begin the clinical trials for his condition. Please be joining me and the 95Network team in praying for him and his family!

There are some incredible takeaways from this episode. Take a moment to check out the show notes for this episode and some of my key takeaways right here: https://www.95network.org/blog/greg-allen-10

For several years there has been a trend in the world of makers and creators of repurposing furniture or materials. Blake Bergstrom is in the business of repurposing people. Blake didn't grow up in a family of ministers or have any plans of heading towards ministry, but through the influence of others around him, God led him into a life of ministry that has involved several churches and several start-up businesses. 

In this episode, you'll hear how Blake went from a student minister who got his words messed up (his embarrassing moment that went viral) to leading and pastoring in a variety of contexts. You'll also hear why being asked to lead large churches, something some would consider the mark of success, eventually began to sound more like a chore than a ministry for Blake. Buckle up for an interview with a firecracker of a person! It's a good one!

Check out my takeaways over at the show notes for this episode: https://www.95network.org/blog/blake-bergstrom-9

Welcome back to Episode 8 of the podcast!

Today’s guest is Josh Robinson, Lead Minister at Dover First Christian Church in Dover, OH. Josh started in ministry when he was in the 8th grade and he saw a need within his own church for more things to be happening for students. Josh was empowered to lead and to develop ministry opportunities for students there at his church.

Josh continued on for a total of 18 years in student ministry before feeling the call to move into a lead minister position. Taking a step like this can be overwhelming and Josh shares some of the lessons he’s learned along the way, including the need for building boundaries into our routine of ministry.

I've had the opportunity to meet Josh as part of 95Network before, but we've never been able to connect 1-on-1, so this was a fun conversation!

Be sure to head over to the show notes to see my takeaways from this episode! Find them here: https://www.95network.org/blog/josh-robinson-8

Rob White is a pastor of 45 years who came out of the business world with a passion to preach and share the gospel with others. Rob has not only served in local churches, but has also led missions work primarily in India and Cuba. Rob’s current season of ministry has him serving as an interim pastor and helping churches transition between leaders.

Through Rob’s years of experience, he’s learned a lot personally about the importance of leading well and caring for his family while in ministry. Enjoy this conversation!

Check out the key takeaways for today's episode and how to get in touch with Rob in the show notes: https://www.95network.org/blog/rob-white-7

I'm really excited to share this week's conversation with Chris Shandrow, Lead Pastor of Compass Church in Normal, IL. Chris is a church planter with a long history of involvement in the church. While he expected to be in a rock band for his whole life, God steered him onto a unique path into pastoral ministry. 

In this episode we not only hear Chris’s story, we also hear about how he and his church has worked through challenges like empowering volunteers, the dynamics of prioritizing family over ministry, the value of quitting, and some other really relevant topics for pastors today.

Take a look at my takeaways and the links from today's conversation at https://www.95network.org/blog/chris-shandrow-6

This week on Real Church Stories, we're joined by Heather Roberston, the Co-Pastor of St. Paul United Church of Christ in Pekin, IL, the same town she grew up in. 

It’s clear right from the beginning of the podcast that Heather has a real passion for God and for people. From times of walking alongside a family that has lost a child to leading community events, Heather’s passion for people has led her to develop different ways for individuals to discover who God has created them to be.

I think you'll be encouraged by this conversation, and I look forward to hearing what stood out to you!

Looking for the show notes? You can find those here: https://www.95network.org/blog/heather-robertson-5

This week on Real Church Stories, we're joined by Nathaniel Foote, the Lead Pastor of Grace Church in Lexington, OH. Nathaniel grew up in the church and started as a Student Pastor in PA before returning to his home state of OH to serve at Grace Church in 2013.

Nathaniel, like many other student pastors, went into ministry thinking that he would be in student ministry for the long-haul, but God had other plans. When Nathaniel first started at Grace Church, it wasn’t as the Lead Pastor, but through a course of events of other leaders stepping away, God made it clear that He was leading Nathaniel into that role.

Listen in to learn how Nathaniel has navigated that transition, along with some encouragement for you going into this week.

Check out some takeaways from conversation at the show notes for this episode: https://www.95network.org/blog/nathaniel-foote-4

Not many pastors can also claim the title Fire Chief, but in this episode of Real Church Stories, Joe talks with Phillip Murdock, the Lead Minister of Life Pointe Christian Church in Toano, VA and the Fire Chief of the James City Bruton Volunteer Fire Department. Serving in the fire department has given Phillip some unique opportunities for ministry.

In this episode, we hear how Phillip had one career path in mind but when that got derailed, God led him on a different path to ministry. Phillip also shares some of the personal lessons he’s learned in his years of ministry as a Student Minister, Worship Leader, and now Lead Minister.

It was a great conversation!

Show Notes: https://www.95network.org/blog/phillip-murdock-3

Thank you for all your support for Real Church Stories, this new podcast I have the opportunity to host in partnership with 95Network. I truly can't wait to continue sharing the stories of pastors across the country.

This week’s guest is Michael Lomax, the pastor of Westwood Baptist Church in Richmond, VA. Michael is a bivocational pastor who also works in the financial world. Serving in finances gives Michael the opportunity to meet people’s needs inside and outside the church.

Michael shares why he chooses to remain a bivocational pastor, some principles he's used to effectively equip the saints and identify leaders, why you should actually know what the constitution of your church says (whew!), along with some great encouragement for church leaders.

I hope this conversation inspires and encourages you today. Take a listen!

Check out some key takeaways, links to resources mentioned, and who's next on the podcast over on the show notes: https://www.95network.org/blog/michael-lomax-intentionally-bivocational-2