200churches Podcast: Ministry Encouragement For Pastors Of Small Churches

This is an episode for the soul and the heart of the pastor. Bill Thrall trains and encourages Christian leaders and pastors, and has been for over twenty years. We cannot even describe this episode... just listen. We had to listen a couple times! Two Questions to intro the episode: 1) Who does God say that I am? 2) Can I trust God with me?

This episode is full of helpful content! Jeff and Jonny lead off with something they are currently trying at their church, then Dave Jacobs joins them to talk about vision, then they finish with practical vision talk from their 200church. You are sure to be challenged as a pastor as you listen to this episode - hopefully with encouragement, and toward creative thinking.

Jeff and Jonny share with you a very personal conversation they had recently, when Jonny challenged Jeff regarding his preaching. You want to have people around you who will challenge you to be your very best, even when it hurts! Jeff wrote about this on the 2-20-2015 200churches Blog, and now Jonny tells his side in this episode.

The Pastor's Coach, Dan Reiland, returns to the podcast to help us evaluate why our church may not be growing. Dan asks five questions about what just might have us stuck - understanding that God decides the size of our churches! This is a fun episode!

On episode 107 Karl Vaters cited health as the third alternative for a small church - today Jeff and Jonny take a deep dive into exactly what a healthy church looks like! Clear and practical, they paint the picture of church health...

Karl "the Shark" Vaters joins Jonny and Jeff to talk about a third option to "grow it or close it" for small churches. What if you pastor a small church, and it isn't growing numerically, but you don't want to close it? Is there a third option? Yes there is!

Dr. Mike Ferguson joins Jeff to talk about his passion to help small church pastors with burnout, depression, and loneliness. Dr. Mike pastored for 20 years, burned out, recovered, and then became a psychologist to help pastors and churches! This episode rocks and gives hope at the same time! And yes, Jonny is highly insulted and put out for not being in on the call with Mike…

Jonny and Jeff talk with Jonny's friend Sam, who shares how his pastor led him in a staffing transition from one role to another, with great success! Great lessons for leading change in your 200church! Along with some classic humor, of course...

Small Church Pastor Coach Dave Jacobs rejoins Jonny and Jeff to talk about the challenge of toxic people in our churches, and how to handle them. The worst thing you could do is ignore them!

The guys kick off 2015 with a bang by talking to Australian Pastor John Finkelde. John and his wife Di coach and consult with pastors and churches. You're gonna love this one!! We promise! We are thrilled to be able to share this episode with you to encourage and support you as a small church pastor.

Jeff and Jonny share an end of year podcast episode on the last day of 2014! They talk about why their mission is to encourage pastors, and what they hope to accomplish in 2015... with appropriate humor, of course!

Jeff and Jonny give you two simple ministry hacks that will immediately begin to improve your ministry. If you want to narrow the focus of your ministry energy, this episode will help and encourage you!

Jeff and Jonny use episode 100 to talk about valuing volunteers. We are to equip our people to do the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ. They share three ways to value volunteers in a small church!

This episode features a conversation with "John Smith" who serves as a missionary in a dangerous part of the world. We talk about how pastors can do a better job with visiting missionaries to their church... and more!

This is a Jeff and Jonny solo episode! They encourage small church pastors to step through failure to success. If you've failed recently, this episode is for you. With their classic relational chemistry, they provide a very fun, encouraging, and challenging episode!

We say it all the time, but this episode is one of the best of the 97 episodes we have released! Dr. John Stumbo is the President of our denomination, the Christian & Missionary Alliance - and we talk with him about the importance and wonder of the small church pastorate. You WILL BE encouraged by this episode. Enjoy!

Another great episode with Dan Reiland, Executive Pastor at 12Stone Church in Lawrenceville, GA, and former Vice President of John Maxwell's Injoy company. This conversation is based on a blog post by Dan called "10 'Different Numbers' That Really Matter". This is a fun episode that will both entertain and encourage you!

Jonny & Jeff are back in the 200churches Podcast Studio for the first time following Jeff's son's accident. Doug is in rehab as this is recorded. Jeff gives a short update on his son's progress, then they play a conversation Jeff had with "John Smith", a pastor/missionary in a country where he must remain anonymous. "John" gives very wise words to pastors regarding life and marriage in ministry.

Jeff and Jonny talk with 200church Pastor Chad Payne. Chad has served for 15 years in his 200church and talks about the blessings and battles of pastoral ministry. You will be encouraged and challenged!

Jeff shares some personal words on a family crisis, and then he and Jonny talk with Dave Jacobs from smallchurchpastor.com about the subject of preaching. This is the first time the topic of preaching has been discussed on the podcast - to our knowledge. You will enjoy it and be challenged!