The Shepherds Circle

In the debut episode of our Not Many Mighty segment, Stan sits down with longtime Louisiana pastor Sherman Soileau for an honest, encouraging conversation about ministry, perseverance, prayer, and the faithfulness of God across decades of shepherding people.

Drawing from 1 Corinthians 1, Not Many Mighty highlights ordinary men whom God has used in extraordinary ways through humble, faithful service. Pastor Sherman shares his testimony of coming to Christ as a resistant teenager from a Catholic background, sensing God’s call to ministry at Camp Pearl, and serving churches across Louisiana, Arkansas, Florida, Alabama, and beyond over a lifetime of pastoral ministry.

Along the way, Stan and Sherman discuss:

• The value of faithful mentors and older pastors
• Why prayer sustains pastors through difficult seasons
• The importance of marrying the right woman for ministry
• Staying connected to your community
• The joys and scars of long-term pastoral ministry
• Expository preaching and teaching people to study Scripture for themselves
• Seeing generational transformation through the Gospel

With wisdom, humor, and decades of experience, Pastor Sherman offers practical encouragement for young pastors, church leaders, and anyone seeking to faithfully follow God’s calling.

Whether you’re in ministry, preparing for ministry, or simply looking for encouragement from seasoned saints who have stayed the course, this episode will strengthen your faith and challenge your heart.

Presented by 6:14 Ministries. Catch the video version of this Not Many Mighty interview over on our YouTube Channel.
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This episode is sponsored by Rhonda’s Hope — a faith-based women’s recovery ministry in Mobile, Alabama committed to helping women rebuild their lives through stable housing, trauma-informed care, mentorship, life-skills development, accountability, and Christ-centered support. Guided by a deep commitment to dignity, integrity, and long-term restoration, Rhonda’s Hope creates a safe and supportive environment where women can heal, grow, and transition toward independent living.

To learn more about Rhonda’s Hope or connect someone in need, contact 6:14 Ministries at [email protected] or contact Stan directly at [email protected] 

Season 3, Episode 3 of The Shepherds Circle tackles a sobering but hopeful reality facing today’s church: pastoral burnout may be declining, but the need for healthy ministry relationships has never been greater.

Drawing from new Barna research, Stan, Caleb, Vic, and Josh Hovel discuss the cultural shifts that followed COVID, why fewer pastors are considering leaving ministry, and how friendship, accountability, and authentic connection are helping sustain pastors in difficult seasons.

The conversation explores:

• The lingering impact of COVID on churches and pastors 
• Why relational health is critical for ministry longevity 
• The dangers of "lone wolf" ministry 
• How churches unintentionally overload pastors
• Why simplifying ministry helped many churches refocus on what matters the most
• The growing pastoral shortage across the Southeast 
• New efforts to train and equip the next generation of ministry leaders

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This episode is sponsored by Rhonda’s Hope — a faith-based women’s recovery ministry in Mobile, Alabama committed to helping women rebuild their lives through stable housing, trauma-informed care, mentorship, life-skills development, accountability, and Christ-centered support. Guided by a deep commitment to dignity, integrity, and long-term restoration, Rhonda’s Hope creates a safe and supportive environment where women can heal, grow, and transition toward independent living.

To learn more about Rhonda’s Hope or connect someone in need, contact 6:14 Ministries at [email protected] or contact Stan directly at [email protected] 

Is the era of the “cool church” coming to an end?

In this week’s episode of The Shepherds Circle, we dive into a thought-provoking conversation sparked by insights from Karl Vaters—exploring the rise (and possible decline) of the attractional, mega-church model.

Are bigger churches really reaching the unchurched… or just reshuffling believers?
Are people still drawn to hype—or are they hungry for something deeper and more authentic?

From real-life pastoral stories to eye-opening stats, this episode challenges ministry leaders to rethink what healthy church actually looks like today.

➡️ If you’re serving in a small or mid-sized church, this one will encourage you to stay faithful, stay grounded, and stay focused on what truly matters: discipleship, community, and Spirit-led leadership.

💥 And yes… the now-legendary “sploosh” moment makes another appearance.

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🙏 This episode is sponsored by Kelley & Mullis Wealth Management Inc.
An independent investment firm based in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, with over 35 years of experience helping individuals and families plan wisely for the future. Their commitment to long-term stewardship, integrity, and relationship-driven financial guidance makes them a trusted partner for ministry leaders and beyond.

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🎧 Listen now on your favorite platform (including Pandora!)
📲 Like, share, and send this to a pastor or ministry leader who needs the encouragement today.

Season 3, Episode 1 — Shepherds Circle Podcast

Welcome to Season 3 of The Shepherds Circle.

We’re kicking things off fresh off the Shepherds Summit 2026 with a raw, honest, and deeply encouraging conversation among a room full of small church pastors and ministry leaders reflecting on what God did over the weekend—and what it means for life and ministry moving forward.

Hosted by Stan Givens, Caleb Howell, and Victor Herman, this episode captures the real conversations that don’t always make it to a stage: the weight pastors carry, the tension of calling and discouragement, the ongoing challenge of discipleship, and the importance of staying faithful when ministry feels heavy.

From laughter-filled moments (yes… we talk about “sploosh”) to deeply vulnerable stories about perseverance, calling, and healing, this episode reminds us that ministry was never meant to be done alone.

In this conversation, we'll touch on: 

• What God stirred in hearts at the Shepherds Summit 2026
• The hidden burdens pastors carry in small church ministry
• Why transparency and vulnerability matter among leaders
• The simplicity—and challenge—of making disciples
• How social media and modern communication is reshaping ministry outreach
• Why endurance in your calling matters more than ever

Whether you’re a pastor, ministry leader, or someone walking closely with church leadership, this episode will encourage you, challenge you, and remind you that you are not alone in the work.

🎧🐑 Pull up a chair.🪑You’re in the circle.

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🙏 This episode is sponsored by Kelley & Mullis Wealth Management Inc.
A trusted, independent firm based in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, serving individuals and families with a long-term, relationship-first approach to financial stewardship. We’re grateful for their support of pastors and the local church. Learn more at kmwealthmanagement.com

In the season finale, Stan, Vic and Josh chat about next weekend's Shepherds Summit and discuss what they love about the event. 

This week in the circle, Stan and Victor sit down with 6:14 Communications Director Josh Givens to talk about a topic many pastors are beginning to wrestle with: the growing role of A.I., social media, and the church’s digital presence.

Josh shares why he believes every church—especially small churches—needs to think carefully about what he calls “the digital front door.” For many people today, a church’s social media or online presence is the very first interaction they have with that ministry.

The conversation explores questions many pastors are asking right now:
What role should A.I. play in ministry? Why are some pastors excited about it while others are suspicious? And how can pastors who already feel stretched thin think wisely about social media without feeling overwhelmed?

Along the way, the guys discuss the surprising advantages small churches actually have in the digital world, how attention works in today’s media landscape, and why thoughtful online engagement can open doors for real, in-person ministry.

This episode also previews Josh’s upcoming session at The Shepherds Summit, titled “A.I., Attention & The Digital Front Door.”

If you’ve ever wondered how technology, social media, and A.I. fit into faithful pastoral ministry, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

Still need to register for The Summit? Be sure to do that here: https://614ministries.org/shepherds-summit-2026

Jesus gave clear instructions to His disciples regarding who would plant the churches that Jesus would "build." The process is one-to-one and works effectively if we do not get too distracted or create too many plans around the plan Jesus gave us. 

In today's episode, we want to remind our pastors and lay leaders that we are called to make disciples and help our disciples make disciples. We'll talk about trusting the process and avoiding the distractions. 

This week in the circle, Stan and the guys talk false believers among the saints, what to do with them, and why a lot of people think they are saved based on cultural values rather than Scriptural truth. 

Church can be messy — and no, we're not talking about the nursery or the pastor's office. This episode addresses the varieties of people we minister to within our churches and how God works with them. 

This week in the circle, Stan sits down with Hurley Baptist Church Lead Pastor Lance Sudduth to discuss training up the next generation of leaders from within the walls of the local church, particularly small churches. The guys will chat about Lance's vision that is already stretching across Mississippi with over 100 men learning practical ministry skills. 

Stay tuned to the end of the episode for announcements about our upcoming Shepherds Summit. 

This week in the circle: Stan and the guys have some fun with a short discussion about the upcoming Shepherds Summit [March 26-28] and what topics you can expect to encounter there. 

Here's a little of what you have to look forward to in session topics: 

1) "A.I. and the Digital Front Door: How Pastors Can Use A.I. and Social Media Wisely [Without Selling Your Soul or Losing Your Sanity]" — Josh Givens 

2) "Longterm Ministry Endurance" — Stan Givens 

3) "Great Commission Discipleship" — Dale Gooding 

4) "Preaching or Protesting" — Victor Herman

5) "Who Are The Wicked?" — Matt Rutland 

Interested in attending the Summit? Be sure to register online here: https://614ministries.org/shepherds-summit-2026