The Renewed Pastor Podcast

With 13 years of working in and alongside ministry, Shelby Black is the co-founder of Bellwether, an AI-powered platform built specifically for ministry leaders. Shelby brings both personal conviction and operational experience to the conversation around AI in the church.

Her work with Bellwether started from a simple belief: no one should feel forgotten by their church. That conviction is now the foundation of a tool helping ministry teams see their people more clearly. Alongside Bellwether, Shelby serves as Director of Growth at Clever, a digital marketing agency serving churches and nonprofits.

Together with her husband Andy — a technical co-founder with deep ministry roots of his own — they bring 28 combined years of ministry experience to the question of how AI should be developed, adopted, and stewarded in faith communities.

She lives in the Denver area with Andy and their two young kids.

Dale Sellers and Joseph Bennett talk with Shelby about 10 practical AI guardrails for churches—data privacy, transparency, pastoral boundaries, automation risks, and how pastors can lead congregations already using AI.

Show Notes: https://95network.org/95podcast-341-summary-ai-guardrails-for-churches-practical-guidelines-for-ethical-safe-ministry-use-w-shelby-black/

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Dale Sellers and Joseph Bennett talk with Lynne Roberts from RightNow Media about how small and mid-size churches can resource families, strengthen small groups, train volunteers with built-in accountability, and care for pastors’ souls through curated conferences and practical leader tools.

Lynne Roberts serves on the Customer Success team as a Senior Account Consultant at RightNow Media. She works with churches, associations, and networks across the globe. Her primary role is to train ministry leaders to maximize the RightNow Media platform within their local church. Lynne has served at RightNow Media for 9 years and lives in Johns Creek, Georgia, with her husband and two young daughters. They are active members of Perimeter Church in Johns Creek.

Pastors, many of you know that we have partnered with RightNow Media – the world’s largest streaming library of Bible studies and discipleship content designed specifically to encourage you and your family in your walk with the Lord. RightNow Media has content from over 400 Christian publishers, tens of thousands of Bible studies, conferences, training sessions, kid’s cartoons, and much more. As a pastor partnered with 95Network, you are receiving FREE personal access to this resource!

Click the following link to sign up for your free personal access to this amazing resource https://app.rightnowmedia.org/join/95network

There are 3 new tools on RightNow Media for you as a pastor: Pastors Plus, Webinars, and the PastorsHub.

This gift is meant for you to use personally and with your immediate family. Please know that your user account cannot be shared or given away to your church. However, because you are a valued part of our family here at 95Network, your church qualifies for a significant discount to use RightNow Media to equip your families, resource your small groups, and develop your leaders within your local church. If this resource is a blessing to you and your family, imagine how impactful it could be for your entire church!

How do I set up my personal account?

To create your free personal account through 95Network, click here.

If you’re interested in Pastors+ or a RightNow Media subscription for your church, please contact our representative at RightNow Media, Lynne Roberts, at [email protected]. She will go over pricing and the discount you’ll receive because of your partnership with 95Network.

Show Notes: https://95network.org/95podcast-340-summary-rightnow-media-for-small-churches-free-tools-for-pastors-volunteers-and-families-with-lynne-robertsw-lynne-roberts/

Support the show

Visit therenewedpastor.org for more free content and information about The Renewed Pastor Pathway.

Dustin Dozier serves as a Teaching Pastor and Director of Next Steps at Upstate Church in South Carolina, a ten-location church reaching nearly 6,000 people each week.

He coaches and consults with church leaders who want to build healthy churches that grow through meaningful relationships and deep community. Dustin is the founder of The Connected Church Co. and the #1 Amazon bestselling author of The Connected Church, where he helps pastors and teams create cultures where people feel known, valued, and connected—not just counted.

He and his wife Sloan have been married for 20 years and are raising three boys together.

In Podcast 339, Dale Sellers and Joseph Bennett talk with Dustin Dozier about building a culture of belonging, prioritizing first-time guests, avoiding volunteer burnout, and creating simple systems that move people from attending to truly connecting.

Show Notes: https://95network.org/95podcast-339-summary-the-connected-church-how-to-help-churches-move-people-from-attending-to-belonging-w-dustin-dozier-episode-339/

Support the show

Visit therenewedpastor.org for more free content and information about The Renewed Pastor Pathway.

Dale and Joseph interview Brittany Nelson about digital natives vs digital immigrants, why children’s ministry matters, volunteer recruitment that works, and practical ways churches can partner with parents to disciple kids at home.

This is a great conversation on leading kids ministry in a digital world—bridging digital natives and digital immigrants, improving volunteer recruitment, and building real partnerships with parents for everyday discipleship at home.

Brittany Nelson is an author, speaker, former children’s pastor and the creator of DeeperKidMin.com, an online hub of downloadable resources made FOR children’s ministry leaders BY children’s ministry leaders.

She works to support children’s ministry leaders around the world by sharing resources and encouragement that grow kids deeper in their faith. Her other adventures include being a mom to the 3 sweetest little girls, reading as many books as she can, volunteering in children's and youth ministry, and drinking lots of herbal tea. 

Show Notes: https://95network.org/95podcast-338-summary-digital-natives-vs-digital-immigrants-brittany-nelson-on-hybrid-church-kids-ministry-and-partnering-with-parents/

Support the show

Visit therenewedpastor.org for more free content and information about The Renewed Pastor Pathway.

Dale Sellers and Joseph Bennett talk with former lead pastor Michael Hidalgo about why pastoral rest is a crisis-level need, how real sabbaticals differ from a leave of absence, and how his ministry Menuah helps small churches create practical, sustainable sabbatical plans—including pulpit supply, congregational care, and re-entry.  Michael has over 25 years experience in local church ministry as a teaching pastor and lead pastor. He is a speaker, author, and coaches pastors. His passion has always been to support spiritual and emotional health for faith leaders. When he's not working he loves skiing, cycling, and spending time in the mountains of Colorado. Michael, his wife and children live in Denver, Colorado.

Show Notes: https://95network.org/95podcast-337-summary-pastoral-sabbaticals-made-doable-rest-renewal-and-a-plan-for-small-church-pastors-with-michael-hidalgo/

Support the show

Visit therenewedpastor.org for more free content and information about The Renewed Pastor Pathway.

Dale Sellers and Joseph Bennett talk with airline pilot, pastor, and leadership strategist Michael McFadden about “flying in front of the plane”—leading proactively instead of reactively. Michael shares the cockpit disciplines behind preparation, checklists, margins, turbulence, accountability, and Spirit-led decision-making for pastors and church leaders.

Michael K. McFadden, also known as Pilot Mike, is a dynamic speaker, leadership trainer, entrepreneur, and private pilot with over 25 years of aviation and leadership experience.

He is the founder of The Leadership Training Company and the author of three influential books:

- How to Maximize Your Potential
- How to Maximize Your Potential as a Student Leader
- How to Maximize Your Potential in Your Relationship

Using flight as a metaphor for personal development and purpose-driven leadership, Michael has inspired thousands through keynotes, coaching programs, and digital resources rooted in his original 12-Point In-Flight Leadership Plan.

Michael is the creator of the “I’m Powerful Beyond Belief” essay contest and scholarship program for high school students and is currently developing a new book and speaking series titled Cleared for Takeoff: Leadership from 10,000 Feet. He’s also planning a global aviation journey as an Earthrounder, turning his passion for flight into a mission of hope, vision, and impact.

Through his speaking, books, and coaching, Michael equips entrepreneurs, student leaders, educators, and executives to navigate uncertainty, master their mindset, and soar toward their highest potential.

Show Notes: https://95network.org/95podcast-336-summary-flying-ahead-of-the-plane-leadership-lessons-from-the-cockpit-with-michael-mcfadden/

Support the show

Visit therenewedpastor.org for more free content and information about The Renewed Pastor Pathway.

In Podcast 335, Dale Sellers interviews pastor and author Ramfis Moulier about how approval addiction and ministry overwork can damage marriages, families, and intimacy with God—and what it takes to heal and lead from presence, not performance.

They also discuss the hidden cost of “doing ministry” for approval. Ramfis shares how a legalistic church culture, unrealistic expectations, and the intoxicating pull of platform affirmation can slowly turn ministry into a substitute for intimacy with God—and even into a rival to a spouse.

Through candid stories from Ramfis’s life (and themes from his book Ashes), this conversation explores why many pastors feel trapped in overwork, why honesty is often punished in church culture, and how healing begins when leaders choose peace and presence over performance and applause.

Show Notes: https://95network.org/95podcast-335-summary-when-ministry-becomes-a-mistress-how-pastors-escape-approval-addiction-and-rediscover-peace-w-ramfis-moulier/

Support the show

Visit therenewedpastor.org for more free content and information about The Renewed Pastor Pathway.

Dan Reiland is a coach, consultant, author, husband, father and grandfather. He brings decades of local church leadership experience to his current ministry endeavors that focus on helping leaders excel.

Dan has served the local church for more than forty years including at 12Stone Church in Lawrenceville, Georgia where he partnered with Kevin Myers for 24 years as the Executive Pastor. He previously partnered with John Maxwell for 20 years, first as Executive Pastor at Skyline Wesleyan Church in San Diego, then as Vice President of Leadership and Church Development at Maxwell Leadership (Previously INJOY).

Dan is best known as a leader with a pastor’s heart and a coach’s intuition. He truly loves the local church and is considered one of the nation’s most insightful executive leadership coaches and church consultants, bringing wisdom and experience to the process. Dan has written 4 books on the church and church leadership and writes a bi-weekly blog at DanReiland.com.

Dan and his wife Patti have two children and three grandchildren. In his leisure time, he’s a collector of really cool guitars!

Show Notes: https://95network.org/95podcast-334-summary-healthy-soul-healthy-ministry-prayer-sabbath-and-soul-care-rhythms-for-pastors-with-dan-reiland/

Support the show

Visit therenewedpastor.org for more free content and information about The Renewed Pastor Pathway.

Doug Bullock directs the aftercare at the Retreat at Church Creek, a ministry that serves pastors, encouraging them to live well and finish strong. Simultaneously, he has been pursuing his doctorate in pastoral re?rement. 

After graduating from Dallas Theological Seminary, Doug previously served as the Lead Pastor of Eastern Hills Bible Church in Manlius, NY. 

Upon retiring from that ministry, he began investing in younger pastors and encouraging other older pastors to join him. Yet strangely, at the same time, he began to observe the very questions about which he now writes, in his life and the lives of others.

On today's 95Podcast, discover how pastors can prepare for retirement, deal with loss, and continue impactful ministry. Doug Bullock, author of New Dawn, shares insights on pastoral health, mentoring, and honoring both retiring and younger pastors in the local church.

Show Notes: https://95network.org/95podcast-333-summary-pastoral-retirement-how-to-finish-well-and-start-a-new-season-of-ministry-w-doug-bullock-episode-333/

Support the show

Visit therenewedpastor.org for more free content and information about The Renewed Pastor Pathway.

Pastors can do “good hard” ministry without destroying their soul or family. Lance Witt shares his story leaving Saddleback Church, the dangers of approval addiction, and practical rhythms like Sabbath, boundaries, and feedback that build healthy leadership.

Lance has been leading churches and organizations for 40+ years.  He was the lead pastor for 3 different churches and then spent 7 years as an executive and teaching pastor at Saddleback Church in Southern California.

During his years at Saddleback, Lance led the 40 Days of Purpose campaign.  Ultimately, both nationally and internationally, more than 25,000 churches also did the 40 Days of Purpose campaign.

In 2007, Lance launched a ministry called Replenish, which is dedicated to “Helping people live and lead from a healthy soul.”  Over the last 15 years Lance has encouraged, challenged and equipped thousands of leaders through speaking, personal coaching LifePlanning, and writing books.

Lance’s books include…

• Replenish… a resource for pastors and ministry leaders on doing ministry without losing your soul.
• High Impact Teams… a resource to catalyze teams to increased health and high-performance
• Your ONE Life… this newest book releases in 2021 and is focused on helping people own, live and love their one and only life.
• Lance and his best friend Connie have been married for 45  years.  They have two grown children and 4 beautiful granddaughters.  Their entire family lives in Castle Rock, Colorado.

Show Notes: https://95network.org/95podcast-332-summary-healthy-holy-and-humble-soul-care-rhythms-for-pastors-with-lance-witt-95-podcast-332/

Support the show

Visit therenewedpastor.org for more free content and information about The Renewed Pastor Pathway.