Strength for Today's Pastor

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Welcome to podcast number 105. Once again, today we have Bible teacher, author, and speaker Gayle Erwin with us, and our topic is Not Many Mighty, a discussion about the ways of God and the choices God makes in calling and using human beings.

Gayle Erwin has beautifully addressed what this looks like in his book Not Many Mighty.

God's Word says, “For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called” (1 Corinthians 1:26). Obviously, God thinks about things differently, and thinks about people differently than we do, in the natural.

It is clear from Scripture that God doesn’t use perfect people. If that was His criterion, no one would ever be used of God.

But God uses imperfect people to contain and then release His marvelous life and light to others. It's His plan, and it fulfills His purpose for connection and relationship with human beings.

"For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us." (2 Corinthians 4:6,7)

Topics discussed: strength out of weakness; Paul's thorn in the flesh; outstanding Biblical examples of weak men mightily used of God; what does it look like for us be be 'anointed,' or to minister 'under the anointing'?; a liberating thought with regard to ministry and our response to God's grace.

Gayle Erwin is the author of the bestselling book The Jesus Style, which explores the nature of Jesus. Not Many Mighty was written in that same vein.

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bill-holdridge/support

For Poimen Ministries, its staff, ministries, and focus, go to poimenministries.com. To contact Poimen Ministries, email us at [email protected]. May the Lord revive His work in the midst of these years!

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Pastor David Rosales has been serving Christ's bride for many years, with almost 50 years of ministry behind him. Yet, because he has remained faithful to the foundations of ministry, and to the Word of God, his ministry is as fresh as ever.

Listen in as show host Bill Holdridge asks David about some of those key elements of a Biblical pastoral ministry. 

Included as part of the discussion:

  ~ What comparisons/contrasts do you draw between the era of the 60s and our current times? 

   ~ Many have been praying for another revival to come. Can there be another revival in today’s world, as there was 50 years ago? If so, what   conditions must be met for that to happen?

  ~ What troubles you about what young people are going through today, and how can they be reached?

  ~ What major threats or challenges are there to the church and against believers today?

  ~ If you had a group of 100 senior pastors in front of you right now, what would be the top three areas of encouragement you’d like to share with them?

  ~ In these unprecedented days in which we’re living, what are your thoughts on the essential, non-negotiables of ministry that must exist for a healthy, Biblically sound church?

Enjoy!

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bill-holdridge/support

For Poimen Ministries, its staff, ministries, and focus, go to poimenministries.com. To contact Poimen Ministries, email us at [email protected]. May the Lord revive His work in the midst of these years!

Comments? Questions? Send us a message!

Ken Graves tells it like it is. When one speaks with Ken Graves, he/she enters into the no fear zone, as it relates to the truth. But as is true with Jesus, grace is sweetly mixed with truth, and the result is an encouraged heart.In podcast #104, Ken tells the story of the fellowship he pastors in Bangor, Maine—and their battles with the powers that be in their state. Points of discussion: Has their been government overreach in in the handling of COVID-19?If government limits its citizens by depriving them of their constitutional rights, is the government breaking the law?What does Romans 13 mean in our present day?How might pastors respond to this current situation in their states, whether red or blue?Ken is articulate, well-studied, and passionate. You won't want to miss this one.--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bill-holdridge/support

For Poimen Ministries, its staff, ministries, and focus, go to poimenministries.com. To contact Poimen Ministries, email us at [email protected]. May the Lord revive His work in the midst of these years!

Comments? Questions? Send us a message!

Mark Gomez has pastored three churches in his years of pastoral ministry, totaling more than 35 years as a senior/lead pastor or church planter.

Mark came to Christ as a result of an intellectual conflict with one of his high school teachers... it's an interesting story. 

He has lived in Utah for 25+ years, which is where he served in his last pastorate. His pastorate was a very fruitful one, one that was effective in reaching members of the LDS church. 

Now Mark is moving into a huge and much needed arena of ministry, as he continues within his calling as a pastor-teacher.

Be blessed and strengthened as you listen...

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bill-holdridge/support

For Poimen Ministries, its staff, ministries, and focus, go to poimenministries.com. To contact Poimen Ministries, email us at [email protected]. May the Lord revive His work in the midst of these years!

Comments? Questions? Send us a message!

Sometimes it's surprising ... if not always surprising ... to see who God wants to use.Identifying those whom God has called, and brought into our churches, is a very, very large part of the fruit that comes out of any ministry.So why don't pastors spend more time developing leaders? Are there ways to overcome our negligence, or apprehensions, or inexperience?Host Bill Holdridge will talk with Pastor Bob Claycamp on this all important topic in this podcast. Learned from a seasoned pastor who is known by many as a developer of leaders who lead others.--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bill-holdridge/support

For Poimen Ministries, its staff, ministries, and focus, go to poimenministries.com. To contact Poimen Ministries, email us at [email protected]. May the Lord revive His work in the midst of these years!

Comments? Questions? Send us a message!

Literally nothing that lasts happens without leadership—good leadership—by men and women who are both biblical and Spirit led. Organizations and churches depend upon it. Yet sadly, there oftentimes seems to be a dearth of willing leaders within our churches ... at least not as many as there should be.Pastor Bob Claycamp is a seasoned pastor (40+ years) who is also a pastor of pastors.  Bob has made it part of his life's mission to develop leaders. Join host Bill Holdridge and Pastor Bob as they dive into this all important topic. Be encouraged as Bob shares some of the major lessons he's learned over the years, and be refreshed in your calling to develop leaders within your own church.--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bill-holdridge/support

For Poimen Ministries, its staff, ministries, and focus, go to poimenministries.com. To contact Poimen Ministries, email us at [email protected]. May the Lord revive His work in the midst of these years!

Comments? Questions? Send us a message!

Again, Bill Holdridge picks the brain of Pastor Phil Evans on the subject of church assessments. 

Phil came out of a business background and into the pastorate about 40 years ago, and uses the organizational mind that God has given him, a great sense of humor, and a calm spirit to help many pastors. He's become sort of an assessment guru with Poimen Ministries. 

Give a listen to this podcast if you're interested in having a fresh set of eyes, a non-threatening and encouraging set of eyes, a confidential set of eyes—upon you and/or your ministry. 

This show highlights some of what was talked about in Part one of this series, and then goes into a bit more detail on what it looks like to have an assessment done at your church.

Thanks for listening.

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bill-holdridge/support

For Poimen Ministries, its staff, ministries, and focus, go to poimenministries.com. To contact Poimen Ministries, email us at [email protected]. May the Lord revive His work in the midst of these years!

Comments? Questions? Send us a message!

A fresh set of eyes.

Face it, we get used to our surroundings—and as pastors, we can become unaware of things we would have noticed X number of years ago.  We can sometimes use a fresh set of eyes.

In this podcast, Poimen Ministries Director Bill Holdridge talks with Pastor Phil Evans. Phil is excellent at doing church assessments, and has helped many senior pastors with a better and more clear look at their ministries.

In part one, we will discuss what a church assessment is, and what it is not. 

Spoiler alert: it's a very encouraging and strengthening process. It's a process to welcome, and not one to fear.

Proverbs 1:5 provides a scriptural reason for having an assessment done.

    A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel...

We promise you: it will be well worth it.

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bill-holdridge/support

For Poimen Ministries, its staff, ministries, and focus, go to poimenministries.com. To contact Poimen Ministries, email us at [email protected]. May the Lord revive His work in the midst of these years!

Comments? Questions? Send us a message!

This is the third of three podcast interviews with Pastor Al James on the subject of excellence in ministry. If you want to do ministry right, listen to this series.

Al is a long time member of the Poimen Ministries team and the founding pastor of Calvary Chapel in Prescott, Arizona (30 years).How can the senior or lead pastor connect with the people in his church? How should he conduct himself, and what are some great ways to reach the people that are attending the church? Of course, this is vital if the Great Commission will be fulfilled.

Bill Holdridge, host of Strength for Today's Pastor, interviews Pastor Al James in this very important session on the role of the senior/lead pastor.

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bill-holdridge/support

For Poimen Ministries, its staff, ministries, and focus, go to poimenministries.com. To contact Poimen Ministries, email us at [email protected]. May the Lord revive His work in the midst of these years!

Comments? Questions? Send us a message!

This is the second of three podcast interviews with Pastor Al James on the subject of excellence in ministry.

Al is a long time member of the Poimen Ministries team and the founding pastor of Calvary Chapel in Prescott, Arizona (30 years).A fresh set of eyes. That's what we often need as we try to evaluate what we pastors do, week in and week out.  

What does the visitor to your church see when he or she attends? What areas are typical of areas that can be tweaked to make it even better? How can the church service itself better serve the people to help them become equipped for ministry and better disciples?

Host Bill Holdridge once again interviews Pastor Al James, founding pastor of Calvary Chapel Prescott, AZ. 

Tune in to begin seeing your church through a fresh set of eyes.

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bill-holdridge/support

For Poimen Ministries, its staff, ministries, and focus, go to poimenministries.com. To contact Poimen Ministries, email us at [email protected]. May the Lord revive His work in the midst of these years!