Strength for Today's Pastor

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In podcast 146 we’re dealing with a subject that is (or should be) on the heart of every pastor or elder in any church anywhere.

It’s an important, paradigm shifting, vision altering approach to ministry.

Patrick Farrell, senior/lead pastor of Calvary Chapel Wichita, Kansas, talks about the equipping of the saints for ministry, and in particular, preparing younger leaders for the Biblical roles they are being called to fulfill in the church.

Patrick led a major shift in the church he has pastored for 13 years, and it began about 8 years ago.

Patrick authored a three part series on the subject, entitled "Paradigm Shift: Equipping the Next Gen." They are subtitled Article A, Article B, and Article C.

Click on this link to download the entire article (spoiler alert ... this is really good stuff). Here's the link:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KJI49MH4uL3NKR53ZKR-lBfg_ftS5aso/view?usp=sharing

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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 Jeff Birmingham started River Rocks Church in 2012. But after about five years into the effort, he and his wife Jessica were worn out ... about ready to throw in the towel.

It was then that things started to happen. A new focus emerged, the strategic leadership development began, and improvement was on its way.

An enjoyable season of ministry has been the God-given result. There is now a team, and Jeff is leading relationally, and not just as a boss.

Hear the story in this podcast, and learn some creative ideas for doing things differently.

In this case, different is also Biblical.

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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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Kevin Green is the founding pastor of Calvary Chapel in Fort Bragg, California. He's been serving there for 25 years. Kevin is passionate about Jesus, the scriptures, about teaching the whole counsel of God, about making disciples, and about the fellowship that he feels very privileged to be part of. He's also passionate about music. On that note (pun intended), Kevin has written, performed, and produced an incredible album of 21 songs, one song for each chapter of the gospel of John. Naturally, the album is entitled "Gospel of John." If you're like me (Bill Holdridge, show host), you're curious about a song's origin, how it was written, and why. We talk about some of that in this episode.Kevin sings all vocals except for the John chapter 4 selection, "The Well" (sung by his daughter Sarah Thurber). He also does almost all the instrumentation.And did we mention, you'll love the eclectic nature of Kevin's music!But he didn't, by any means, do the album alone. Along with the Helper's help, Kevin was aided by his three daughters, by Calvary Chapel pastors Les Boek and Chris Vanover, and by other wonderful musicians from his family and long list of friends. The album can be listened to for free at thegospelofjohnproject.com. There one can find the songs, the lyrics, the credits, and other interesting information. This is a serious contribution to the world of scripture to song music that exists out there. I doubt you will have encountered anything quite like it._______________________For Kevin’s teaching: ccfortbragg.com▪ For The Gospel of John Project: thegospelofjohnproject.com. You can listen for free and also find the lyrics and credits.▪ To purchase the album, just go to the iTunes store: https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-gospel-of-john/1684762031.▪ For CDs, contact Kevin at [email protected] 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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Bob Claycamp has been there, done that. He's been a church planter, a longtime senior pastor in North Phoenix, a Christian commune Bible teacher, a senior pastor in Exeter, England, a transitional senior pastor, and since 2010, has served with our team of Poimen Ministries pastors.

Bob says, "Sometimes (in searching for leaders) we are looking for a product, and we get a project."

Bob says, "When you're looking to identify leaders, begin by looking within your own fellowship."

In other words, look for the characteristics of a servant-leader in a man, even if they've not been developed yet.

Bob has an eye for leaders. He knows what a true, Biblical leader looks like. He knows how to identify them, coach them up, and help them see their place in the body of Christ.

Bob's contention is that the leaders you need may already be in your church. When the essential qualities in a man are recognized, then it's time to pour in to them, so that they will pour out.

Wise pastors will seek wisdom from wise pastors who have gone before them. Bob's counsel is simple, and it works.

--- 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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Prayer is God's idea. His great invitation.Prayer is essential. Prayer is the primary means by which God involves His children in what He wants to do in His world. Prayer was a primary focus of the best church ever—the apostolic church, as in Acts 2:42. Yet, way too often our prayer meetings seem boring, are poorly attended, and unexciting ... when they ought to be one of the most exciting times of our lives.There is no doubt that there is a huge spiritual warfare component that is part of our unwillingness to pray. The enemy of our souls is like being robbed in an alley ... a struggle ensues, and then a knife appears. Suddenly, the battle changes. Whoever controls the knife pushes the narrative. The same is true of prayer, and of our prayer meetings.Is there anything practically that can be done? Guest show host Tim Brown interviews Bill Holdridge of Poimen Ministries on this intriguing and hopefully helpful subject. Suggestions are made—hopefully helpful—that can may help us transform the prayer culture in our churches. "Lord, teach us to pray!"--- 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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This subject is coming up more and more every day. We at Poimen Ministries are finding ourselves in conversations every week with pastors who are looking to the future, and wondering what they should do now with regard to their own pastoral transition.

The bottom line is this: unless Jesus returns before you've come to the end of your ministry at your present church, someone else will pastor your church.

Therefore, at the very least, every pastor should prepare for someone else to be in the saddle.

Pastor Jimmy Morales asked show host Bill Holdridge if he could interview him with his own list of questions on this topic. The resultant interview is from that discussion.

Jimmy Morales pastors Fervent Church (formerly called Calvary Chapel Lone Mountain) in North Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a strong leader, with a kingdom vision for the ministry the Lord has given him.

--- 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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This is a very interesting and inspirational testimony ... Tadd and Charity Scheffer tell their story.

Tadd is the founding and senior/lead pastor of Calvary Ellensburg, Washington. Charity, in addition to being a wonderful wife and mother, has an amazing side hustle (i.e. job). You'll have to listen in to find out about it.

In 2009 the Scheffers followed the Lord’s calling in their life to go to Ellensburg with their four children. They have a huge heart for missions and a special heart for Haiti, as they have adopted 2 children from there.

Their desire is to serve the Lord in what ever aspect He leads them.

Even senior/lead pastors need models ... examples ... visuals ... concerning what pastoral ministry is all about. Episode 139 provides encouraging narrative to help with that...

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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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It's an amazing thing to watch how the Lord sovereignly brings two people together and then uses that union for His greater glory.

Such is the case in the lives of Tadd and Charity Scheffer.

Tadd is the senior/lead pastor of Calvary Ellensburg, in Ellensburg, WA. When he and Charity met, she was a Mormon and he was a carnal believer. Yet, the Lord used their relationship to draw both of them to Himself, and the rest is history that is still being written.

Tadd was highlighted in episode 136, which focused on his journey out of Calvinism and into a new freedom in ministry with Calvary Chapel. Part of his and Charity's story was told there.

--- 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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Alan Stoddard is the author of the Stoke It Up Podcast, and is a former Calvary Chapel Senior/Lead pastor. He is currently prepping for a new church plant in Granbury, Texas.

Alan recently discovered that Bill Holdridge had been a church planter himself back in the day ... so he decided to interview him.

The discussion takes a number of twists and turns ... it's about church planting, pastoral calling, the days of the Jesus Revolution, and other topics in the fast-moving interview that testifies to the faithfulness of God.

Hope you enjoy it.

____________________________

Dr. Alan Stoddard is the co-author of the book Groups that Revitalize, which deals with the subject of sermon based small groups.

Sermon based small groups a powerful ministry opportunity that multiplies the reach of the pulpit. Dr. Alan Stoddard shares some of the ministry philosophy behind sermon based small groups as well as the Biblical precedent and tips and tricks to make the best curriculum questions possible.

You can read Alan's Doctoral thesis here: https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/16328189/teaching-pastors-to-reinforce-expository-preaching-alan-stoddard

Or read his book here: https://www.amazon.com/Groups-that-Revitalize-Bringing-Sermon-Based/dp/1733690387

Alan serves as the Lead Pastor of Calvary Ruidoso, in Ruidoso, New Mexico. He has pastored churches in Texas and New Mexico. He has a real passion for making disciples in small groups. He's married to Jeana and has a daughter, Briana.

Recommended Episodes from The Expositors Collective:

How to Lead an Interactive Bible Study: https://www.expositorscollective.com/podcast/2019/3/12/episode-38-how-to-lead-an-interactive-bible-study

Learning from John the Baptist: https://www.expositorscollective.com/podcast/2021/2/16/learning-from-john-the-baptist-george-scanlan

The Power of Connection: https://www.expositorscollective.com/podcast/2020/9/1/the-power-of-connection-eric-cartier

--- 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!

Pastor Tadd Scheffer (pronounced Skeff'-er) is the senior and founding pastor of Calvary Ellensburg, Washington. Calvary Ellensburg is a growing, solid church based upon a Calvary Chapel style of ministry and the four distinctives of the early church found in Acts 2:42.Tadd grew up in Lynden, Washington—close to the Canadian border. Lynden is a Dutch town, and as such, is home to numerous Reformed churches. Naturally, Tadd grew up in the tradition of Reformed theology, and came close to being ordained. But then things started to happen in his life. Big things ... things that led to a strong move away from Calvinism and into the grace of God and an entirely new ministry paradigm.Join show host Bill Holdridge as he interviews pastor Tadd. They discuss Tadd's coming out of Calvinism, the five points of TULIP, and the difference that being part of the Calvary Chapel style of ministry has made in his life and ministry.This is a good podcast to refer to others, especially those who are being pulled into the direction of Reformed theology.Of course, questions and comments are welcomed. _________________Talk by Dr. Norman Geisler ("Why I Am Not a Five Point Calvinist"), here on YouTube: https://youtu.be/xwNZhdPqGDE--- 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!