Mark, Jake and Jeff catch up after Mark's trip to Spain and Jeff's trip to Turkey and Greece, and discuss the roles of strategy and the Holy Spirit in church leadership.

Link to Johnnie Each's writing mentioned in this episode: https://johnnieeach.substack.com/p/church-planter-please-dont-forget?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=3785451&post_id=160582128&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=5b57ge&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email

Opening with Psalm 131, the Average Pastors speak on leading with humility before Christ and give their thoughts on the current culture's understanding of worship.

Mark, Jeff and Jake take it back to the study to navigate the pros and cons of optimism and pessimism, the essentials to preaching and how to shape our hearts for godliness in giving.

Mark, Jeff and Jake discuss how we should think about spiritual warfare and demonic forces in our day-to-day lives, and they reflect on their parenting - specifically the crucial role that father's play in the lives of their children.

Mark, Jeff and Jake return to the fireporch to talk about the dangers of seeking a platform. what it means to be a "post turtle," and what their greatest fears are in ministry.

On this episode, Jeff reads an excerpt from his book, Gospel 101, and Jake shares a writing about the difference between knowledge and discernment.

Jeff, Mark and Jake discuss what it means to do the Lord's work in the Lord's way, and how that impacts their approach to discipleship, fundraising and more.

On this episode, Mark, Jeff and Jake discuss plans for the new year, what it means to live adventurously and what they want to preserve about their church cultures.

On this episode, the average pastors hang out on Jeff's fireporch, discuss Christmas traditions and look back over life events in 2023.

Mark, Jake and Jeff discuss several topics, including: how to shepherd generosity in the church, how they've grown over the years and how to tell the difference between flattery and encouragement. Stick around until the end to hear what's in everyone's "candy aisle!"