Pastors spend their lives caring for other people's souls—but who is caring for theirs?

In this episode of Soul Talk, Pastor Rick gets personal about the loneliness that can come with ministry and shares something he wishes he had learned much earlier: pastors need mentors, trusted companions, and people who can look beyond the ministry role and ask, “How is your soul?”

It’s easy for a pastor to look spiritually healthy on the outside while becoming exhausted, discouraged, isolated, or distant from God on the inside. Sermons get preached, meetings happen, people are helped—but ministry activity isn't the same thing as spiritual health.

Looking at the example of Jesus, Pastor Rick explores why we need both solitude with God and meaningful spiritual companionship. He also explains the difference between a mentor and a spiritual director—and why every pastor needs a place where they can stop being the pastor and simply be a person in the presence of God.

Whether you're a pastor, a church leader, or someone who loves and supports a pastor, this conversation offers an important reminder: the shepherd needs care too.

So here's the question Pastor Rick leaves us with:

Who is helping pastor you?

Not every Christian follows Jesus in exactly the same way—and that is part of God’s design. In this episode of Soul Talk, we explore five discipleship strengths: prayer and contemplation, service, mentoring, study, and evangelism. Each strength is a gift, but each can also become a limitation when we rely on it alone. Discover why your strength should be a starting point, not a stopping point, and how Jesus calls every disciple toward a healthy balance of prayer, service, relationships, truth, and witness.

Discouragement is everywhere, but God has called His people to bring hope. In this episode, we explore encouragement as a biblical ministry and look at how Jesus noticed, valued, and strengthened people who were often overlooked. Discover five practical ways to become a “hope dealer”—by noticing people, speaking encouragement while you can, being specific, honoring hidden faithfulness, and making encouragement a daily habit. Someone around you may need a word of hope today.

What happens when we put our hearts and minds into what we say, that lengthy presentation or well-worded text message? It turns out, as you'll find, small things go a long way, retention rates are more in favor these days of small moments of learning throughout the day. Join us and we'll explore this phenomenon about micro learning and the effect of it on our souls!

What if being busy for God is actually keeping you from being close to God? In this episode of Soul Talk, we look at the story of Martha and Mary in Luke 10:38–42 and the difference between spiritual activity and spiritual health. Jesus reminds Martha—and us—that our relationship with Him must come before our performance for Him. Explore the warning signs of an unhealthy soul, take a spiritual inventory, and discover what it means to choose “the better part” by staying close to Christ.

Encouragement is one of God's simplest ministries. A little can go a long way, join us to see how what little encouragement can do big things in ways you would never think!

The Beatitudes offer more than comfort for today—they provide a vision of God's kingdom, both now and forever. In this episode, Rick examines the multiple layers found within Jesus' teachings, showing how each Beatitude brings present grace, inner transformation, and future promises. From spiritual poverty and mourning to mercy, peacemaking, and perseverance, learn how God is quietly growing deep roots of faith that will one day blossom into the fullness of His eternal kingdom. This encouraging study reminds believers that what God begins in the soul today, He will complete in glory tomorrow.

The Beatitudes are more than familiar teachings—they reveal a pathway for deep spiritual formation. In this episode, Rick unpacks each Beatitude as part of God's process for shaping the soul. From recognizing spiritual poverty and facing grief honestly to becoming peacemakers and persevering through hardship, discover how Jesus transforms hearts from the inside out. Learn practical ways to live the Beatitudes daily and allow God to grow deep roots that produce lasting peace, strength, and spiritual fruit.

Does purpose fade with age, or can some of life's most meaningful contributions happen in later years? In this episode, Rick discusses the biblical calling to remain fruitful in every season and highlights encouragement as one of the greatest ministries available to believers. From mentoring younger generations to praying faithfully and offering simple words of support, discover how small acts of encouragement can make an eternal difference. Learn why every follower of Jesus is called to be a source of hope, strength, and encouragement in the lives of others.

Many Christians know the Bible is important, but knowledge alone does not produce transformation. In this episode, Rick examines the gap between hearing God's Word and living it out. Through passages from James, Romans, Hebrews, and the teachings of Jesus, he highlights how true spiritual formation occurs when Scripture becomes more than information—it becomes a way of life. Learn practical steps for moving from information to transformation and helping others do the same as disciples of Christ.