Straight Talk-Pastors

Join me as I interview guest Chris Skaggs, co-founder, CTO and COO of Soma Games and Imladris, as we discuss calling. 

Prepare yourself for perhaps a different take on your understanding of calling, the role it plays in our lives and why having awareness of spiritual warfare is so important! 

Chris is an incredible man of God that has had a profound impact on my life as part of Boot Camp NW, a men's retreat unlike any I have even heard of and one you owe it to yourself to partake in! 

Boot Camp NW: https://www.bootcampnw.com/
Soma Games: https://www.somagames.com/
Imladris: https://imladris.community/

Have a thought, question or want to offer your experience? Join the discussion on our Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/straighttalkpastors/
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Your spiritual walk doesn't have to be burdensome and onerous; it can be filled with grace, mercy, rest and growth. Let God guide your walk and let Him inform your daily devotional time! 

The world wants us each to idolize ourselves and each other, leaving no room for God. But we know that our dependence on Him is what will continue to set us apart from the teachings of the world. 

Have a thought, question or want to offer your experience? Join the discussion on our Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/straighttalkpastors/
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In a world where consumers are clamoring for more and more content and we are pushed to idolize ourselves and each other, it's easy to let our own wants take precedence over God's plan. 

This episode talks about the struggles and dangers of putting ourselves ahead of God in this "post-God society" we live in.

Have a thought, question or want to offer your experience? Join the discussion on our Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/straighttalkpastors/
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We all take wounds that impact us significantly as we live out our lives. These wounds generally occur during our formative years and can go hidden for many years until they suddenly manifest in detrimental ways. 

We need to understand these wounds, how they are given, the messages that come along with them, the agreements and vows that accompany this pain and their significance. 

Special guest Ana Palaki Adams, my wife, joins this episode to talk about this heavy and complicated topic.

Have a thought, question or want to offer your experience? Join the discussion on our Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/straighttalkpastors/
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As a ministry leader, it's important to understand your limits and what responsibilities are yours and which are not. The sheer burden on your shoulders is immense and if you don't have a support system and healthy coping mechanisms, you're a sitting duck for burnout and worse. 

This episode explores the dangers and potential solutions for how to avoid these issues, and others. This starts a multi-part series on mental health aimed to help you become more resilient and thus, more effective at growing the Kingdom!

Have a thought, question or want to offer your experience? Join the discussion on our Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/straighttalkpastors/
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How do we steward the mission God gave us? How do you define the mission and what are things to think about when evaluating how we go about stewarding the mission? 

There are a lot of crazy ideas out there surrounding the mission of the church and it's important that we develop our ability to discern between the World and God when it comes to who we follow when determining the course for our church. 

Have a thought, question or want to offer your experience? Join the discussion on our Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/straighttalkpastors/
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The story of how Michael Brackett came to be a pastor is one full of the Holy Spirit, conviction, courage to stand against expectations and family, and much relational pain. 

Listen to how Michael weathered it all to become lead pastor of a congregation in our own backyard! 

Have a thought, question or want to offer your experience? Join the discussion on our Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/straighttalkpastors/
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We all know that we need to take care of our facilities and grounds, but something you may not immediately associate with this discussion is security, but in this era of increasing danger for those that walk through our doors, it's important that we be more pro-active in ensuring we are doing our part to protect them. 

How do we do that in a manner that doesn't compromise our mission of reaching the next person? Join this discussion as I outline areas to think about and steps that could be taken towards this goal and also concepts of how to go about ensuring we are being good stewards of our buildings and grounds.

Have a thought, question or want to offer your experience? Join the discussion on our Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/straighttalkpastors/
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An area that I believe is easy to overlook is how we steward our people well, both the larger congregation and membership and more specifically those that serve the church and make it all happen. 

Too often I walk into churches that have good people serving the church that are so beyond burned out that their passion and enthusiasm for ministry is long gone, replaced by despair, discouragement and bitterness. 

We can do better and in this episode I share ideas and concepts on how we, as ministry leaders and pastors, can take a more active role in helping re-connect our people to the mission such that they are re-ignited to engage in the church once again.

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It might seem obvious to start a discussion about stewardship with money, but too often I have found pastors and ministry leaders putting lowest price as the highest priority when purchasing decisions are being made and we need to change our mindset and concept of saving money. 

In addition, tithing, financial maturity and knowledge are part of this discussion, both in your personal life and as the leader of a church. 

Have a thought, question or want to offer your experience? Join the discussion on our Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/straighttalkpastors/
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