Once again, today we have Bible teacher, author, and speaker Gayle Erwin with us, and our topic is Not Many Mighty, a discussion about the ways of God and the choices God makes in calling and using human beings. Gayle Erwin has beautifully addressed what this looks like in his book Not Many Mighty. God's Word says, “For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called” (1 Corinthians 1:26). Obviously, God thinks about things differently, and thinks about people differently than we do, in the natural. It is clear from Scripture that God doesn’t use perfect people. If that was His criterion, no one would ever be used of God. But God uses imperfect people to contain and then release His marvelous life and light to others. It's His plan, and it fulfills His purpose for connection and relationship with human beings. "For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us." (2 Corinthians 4:6,7) Topics discussed: strength out of weakness; Paul's thorn in the flesh; outstanding Biblical examples of weak men mightily used of God; what does it look like for us be be 'anointed,' or to minister 'under the anointing'?; a liberating thought with regard to ministry and our response to God's grace. Gayle Erwin is the author of the bestselling book The Jesus Style, which explores the nature of Jesus. Not Many Mighty was written in that same vein.

In episode 116 we’re joined by Roger Ulman, senior/lead pastor of Calvary Chapel Kalamazoo Valley, Michigan. Roger planted the church in 2000, after an interesting and God-ordained training process. This testimony is included in this interview. Roger is married to Lisa, his wife of 37 years. They have three children … two boys and a girl. #10 grandchild on the way. Roger Ulman is a pastor who is genuinely joyful, and very optimistic about ministry and life in general. Pastors always can use optimism and encouragement … these are very challenging times for pastors everywhere. So, where does such a positive outlook comes from? This could me a major key re: how we pastors serve the Lord Jesus and His people. Tune in to hear the not-so-secret secret of Divine Optimism in Pastoral Ministry.

Ministry may not have to be as hard as we pastors make it sometimes. Marc Knutson shares with us some of what he has learned over the years, and what he learned from Pastor Chuck Smith up close and personal, about flowing with the Holy Spirit in the ministry. The Holy Spirit has a mind and will—and His mind and will are in complete cooperation with that of the Father and the Son. Host Bill Holdridge joins Marc in this encouraging conversation.

Danny Lehmann is a leader in Youth With A Mission (YWAM), an international missions and church planting thrust that has had a tremendous world-wide Kingdom impact. In this podcast, Danny will be talking with us on the subject of vision. Specifically, we’ll be talking about a Biblical pattern for seeing and receiving God’s vision for our lives and ministries. Danny is keen on the subject of church life as well, having served for many years with Pastor Bill Stonebraker at Calvary Chapel Honolulu. YWAM has been, from its inception, big on hearing God's voice, obeying His voice, and persevering through the word commanded by that voice. YWAM founder Loren Cunningham has modeled that approach, and YWAMers have sought to emulate his pattern. Danny Lehmann has written four books on evangelism: Go! The Excitement of Personal Evangelism, For the Gospel’s Sake, Bringin’ Em Back Alive, and Beautiful Feet. He has also written on the subject of spiritual discipline: Before You Hit the Wall, as well as STOKED! Firing Up Your Passion for God. His latest book is entitled The Next Big Thing: How Little Choices Can Make a Big Impact. Danny lives in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, with his wife Linda and now serves as part of the leadership team for YWAM Kona. NOTES from Danny's 5 Points about asking for, receiving, and implementing the vision the Lord gives us: 1) The PRAYER FOR THE VISION. Nehemiah 1:1-10 … his vision was initiated by God and prayed through by Nehemiah. Also Habakkuk 1:2-4; 12-17 … he cried out to God because of the injustice in the land and the LORD’s seeming indifference to it all. 2) THE POSTURE FOR RECEIVING THE VISION. (we must do the possible) Habakkuk 2:1 I will stand my watch and set myself on the rampart, and watch to see what He will say to me, and what I will answer when I am corrected. 3) THE PROPHETIC WORD THE DETAILS OF THE VISION. Habakkuk 2:2 “Write the vision and make it plain upon tablets that he that reads it may run.” 4) FOR THE PROLIFERATION OF THE VISION. The vision must cast so that others may run with it. Habakkuk 2:2-3 Then the Lord answered me and said: “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, It will not tarry. 5) PERSEVERANCE TO OBEY THE VISION. Often there is a “death of a vision,” so that God’s will and word can be resurrected.

A re-broadcast of #124 that needs to be listened to again! Nick talks about his insightful and important book "The God I Won't Believe In."

Matt Valencia has a huge heart for God’s Kingdom, and a sincere love for the greater Body of Christ. Recently, Matt was asked to lead a discussion on the topic of this podcast. This interview dives into the meat of that discussion, and why it matters. Matt Valencia is the Lead Pastor of the Regeneration Church of Scotts Valley, CA and is also the founding pastor of Calvary Chapel in Gilroy, CA.

"Seven for Seven" - a great tool for all-church discipleship, a fantastic tool for influencing people to read their Bibles and pray every day. This interview is chock full of encouragement and also resources for any senior/lead pastor to properly disciple and equip the people in his fellowship.

Do you want to discover or maybe even reignite the small groups ministry of your church? Troy Drake is the founding pastor of Calvary Chapel Meridian, Idaho, having served as its pastor since 2009, and has led their church into this important area of discipleship ministry. Here's a quote from the church website: "Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, so continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved." (Acts 2:46-47) "The early disciples understood that togetherness is essential for the growth of each person and the church itself by being in close community with other believers. The Christian life is way better in community! And yet, this is the one area that is often lacking in the lives of Christians. "We must intentionally 'do life' together. Rather than just hoping that it will happen, we have chosen to set up a purposeful way for the people in our fellowship to engage with each other. We call them House2House Groups. "What can you expect at an H2H Group? Each group has a meal together, they discuss & apply Sunday’s sermon, and support each other in prayer and practical ways as they seek to join in God’s mission." So tune in, and get some fresh ideas that may trigger fresh vision that will help your fellowship do the one anothers of the New Testament.

In the earliest stages of his first senior pastorate, Nate Holdridge comes out of the book of Joshua to explain how he knew the Lord would be with him. A powerful reminder of the Presence and grace of God which is upon senior pastors, and which is absolutely necessary for their ministry to be successful in God's eyes. Pastor Chuck Smith introduces Nate, with some interesting and helpful homiletical suggestions at the end of the message

SFTP Podcast number 150 focuses on how a ministry which is considered a frontlines ministry must first of all, be a healthy ministry. There must be the life of Jesus, the light of Jesus, and also the love of Jesus. Today I’ll be speaking with Pastor Arnold, who ministers right in the thick of the ongoing cultural and spiritual rebellion against God which is so prevalent in these times in which we live. Jack pastors Calvary Chapel Mt. Si, in North Bend, Washington. North Bend is only about 30 miles S.E. of Seattle. That part of Washington is known for its strong leftist leanings and politics, and is not typically fertile ground for the gospel. Yet, the church in Mt. Si is thriving! How has the Lord led Jack and his leadership team to equip the church to be the church of Jesus Christ? Hear Jack's story. It's going to encourage and challenge you, that is a certainty.