200churches Podcast: Ministry Encouragement For Pastors Of Small Churches

Tony Morgan, from www.theunstuckgroup.com, joins Jeff and Jonny LIVE and in the flesh as the three of them converse on what it means to get your church back on mission, back on the road to reaching people in your community who have no hope! Tony's organization helps get stuck churches - Unstuck! This is a very helpful and encouraging episode! Enjoy it!

Al Henson, from www.compassionatehope.org, joins the guys to talk about his ministry's work in helping to rescue children, infants, and young people from the dangers of sex trafficking in Southeast Asia. An amazing episode!

This is Jonny and Jeff's take on how us pastors might approach the awful events that have unfolded at Willowcreek. How do we process and think about all this? Jeff and Jonny debrief each other and process Hybels and Willow together. They try to do it with compassion and humility, but also with honesty and openness.

Jonny is joined by his friend Pam Dykstra (who happens to be a Master Trainer with VitalSmarts) and they talk about what Crucial Conversations are, why we avoid them, and how to have them well in order to get unstuck. Pastor, you NEED to listen to this conversation because there are places where you are stuck and conversations that you have been putting off (or that you have been going about the wrong way!) This episode is JAM PACKED with content and you will not be sorry you tuned in!

Jim Drake IS... a small church pastor! He pastors in Bluefield VA and did not start until after age 40, so beginning ministry in the second half. This is his story... from the Air Force to the pulpit. It's never too late.

Jonny is joined by his wife, Kayla, to talk about a special event that YOU are invited to!

Pastor Vinny shares from his heart what it's like to have a family member involved in addiction. Too many families know the pain and suffering associated with mental health and addiction issues and a pastor's family is no exception.

Sarah Bouma works with Tony Morgan and his Unstuck Group, (www.theunstuckgroup.com) coaching churches in the areas of staffing and structure. She was recently at Jeff's church and was so gracious to stick around and record a podcast episode with Jeff! Jonny and Jeff are together for the IN and OUT of this episode, and promo a great small church conference opportunity coming up this October!

Episode 284 is the 2nd half of a conversation Jeff had with Dave Jacobs, from www.smallchurchpastor.com, where they answer questions from Dave's Small Church Pastor Facebook group. Jonny joins Jeff on the front and back of this episode!

Dave Jacobs from www.smallchurchpastor.com and the Small Church Pastor Facebook Group gathered group members' questions and then he and Jeff each take a whack at them, giving them their best shot! If you need coaching as a pastor, that's what Dave does for a living! You can easily find him at www.smallchurchpastor.com or email him at Dave@smallchurchpastor.com.

Derek Vreeland is the Discipleship Pastor at Word of Life Church in St. Joseph MO. His pastor, Brian Zahnd, was our guest on episode 202, and now Derek joins us a mere 80 weeks later! Practical wisdom and real life experience flow out of Derek! You'll enjoy this episode!

Brandon Patterson is a new, young pastor. He heard Jeff & Jonny on Carey Nieuwhof's Leadership Podcast, episode 99 - and sent us a message. As he often does, Jeff replied and connected with him, and today he is on the episode with encouragement to spare! Brandon's heart for God and people is very rare in ministry, especially at age 24. What is even more rare is that he is pastor to a President. But that's just a part of this guy's wonderful story...

PIcking up where Jeff left off last week, Jonny shares some things that are on his mind like family, special needs ministry, church decline, and worship services. He also shares a book he recently read and encourages pastors to keep churches connected over the summer.

Jeff records a solo episode and creates the first "What's On My Mind" episode. He and Jonny have been wanting to create some solo episodes just to speak personally to small church pastors, and this is the first one. Jeff, of course, challenges Jonny to counter with his own "What's On My Mind" episode to follow... soon. :-) Jeff encourages the listeners to check out the "Podcast Series" page at www.200churches.com and peruse some great episodes in the 200churches Archive Vault!

Jonny is joined by Northwestern College professor (and friend) Dan Den Boer to talk about formation and the role of the church in developing Christ followers. The conversation swerves into topics like literalism, historical criticism, and Bibliolatry and is sure to get your mental gears turning.

Jonny is joined by John Ottley--small church pastor turned hospital chaplain to talk about what he has learned over his 30-year ministry career and what he is learning as he begins a new career as a chaplain.

On today’s episode we are joined by Jason Wilson, from Citylight Church in Council Bluffs IA and Eric Carpenter from Christ Community Church in Omaha Nebraska as they share their plans to co plant another CityLight Church in Kansas City Missouri. This is a good one, let’s get started.

Dr. Joel Wiggins, President of Crown College in the Twin Cities of Minnesota talks with transparency and candor about his life as a small church pastor, and the challenge of educating pastors for tomorrow. You can find his college at www.crown.edu!

When Derek Levendusky started his week on Sunday morning, he had no idea he would be our guest from episode 274. Toiling away in a new church in Western New York, Derek is everything that is good about small church ministry. Jeff walked into his early service on Sunday 30 minutes late. Right after the service he talked with Derek at the front of the church. In ten minutes he sealed the deal for him to record two days later. This is his story. And, it's sooooo good!Check out our sponsor, TrainedUp.Church and use "200CHURCHES" as a promo code for 10% off for life. Go to www.trainedup.church.

Greg Curtis, Director of Assimilation at Eastside Christian Church in Anaheim CA joins Jeff to talk about how small churches should assimilate first time attenders. This is SO, SO practical. You will love it! Find Greg at www.gregcurtis-assimilation.com.