Cliff Stabler become a mentor of mine when I was a young church planting pastor serving on the Monterey Peninsula in California. Cliff befriended me, and over time became a huge influence in my life. On a personal note, I am part of a four pastor fellowship and mutual strengthening group which includes Cliff. It's amazing, really. Cliff's calling is to reproduce Christ-like close followers of Jesus Christ who are steeped in the New Covenant and who depend upon the Holy Spirit for everything. Within that calling, Cliff's passion is to disciple men. Former senior/lead pastor, former missionary, and former church consultant, Cliff has a wealth of wisdom and experience from the Holy Spirit's work in his life over his 81+ years. Cliff shares in this podcast episode some of the things he has practiced and learned in his ministry to men—transferable concepts for any senior/lead pastor. Cliff (at the urging of two of us in our pastor's group) recently finished a new book. I call it his Magnum Opus. Part auto-biographical, part testimonial, part ministerial, part instructive, part discipleship manual, the book is a treasure trove of wisdom. I wrote a chapter for the book, which you may find interesting. Here is the link for a free download of the pdf version: The Other Side (by Cliff Stabler). Hope you enjoy this interview!

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.

It’s always fun (and edifying) to talk with Bryan Newberry. Challenge and inspiration are common each time. For those who do not know Bryan, he is the founding pastor of Calvary Chapel San Diego, CA (1985) … and stepped aside from that role in 2018, handing the senior pastorate over to Phil Metzger. 32 years as their senior pastor. Bryan is part of the team of Poimen Ministries’ pastors, and also has his own non-profit organization called “Words of Encouragement.’ In addition to serving with Poimen Ministries and Words of Encouragement, Bryan is now the senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Los Alamitos, CA. Bullet Points for Discussion: 1. How has the transition of CC San Diego gone? The new pastor (Phil Metzger) and you are friends, but very different re: ministry styles. What can pastors learn from the situation there? 2. What has been your approach in taking over for John Greenroyd of CC Los Alamitos in July of 2020? How is it going? 3. Before you stepped aside in San Diego, you experienced a major trial that was written about in the Calvary Chapel Magazine. Subtitle: “Two Christian Leaders Share Their Harrowing Experiences with Prescription Addiction.” Bryan, you were one of those leaders. What did you go through, and what did you learn? 4. How would you describe your passion in life/ministry? 5. I know you love to be available to mentor younger men. Who have been your mentors (major influences) in life/ministry? In what ways did they influence you?

Many churches are experiencing a leadership deficit. There are too few biblical elders, too few deacons, and not as many people who know which spiritual gifts they’ve been given by the Spirit, what they are called to do, or what ministries the Lord has opened up for them. Many leadership teams are not in alignment with their pastor in doctrine and practice, nor are they in alignment with each other. There are many fellowships — normal sized (50-200 regular attenders) — that believe they do not possess the resources to begin strong leadership development and equipping and training of the saints. That's what this podcast is all about. It's going to help the equipping senior pastor do the work of equipping those whom the Lord is calling into leadership ministry positions. And, he doesn't have to have it all figured out. He can join others who are part of what pastor Donn Fisher of Calvary Chapel Raynham, Massachusetts is talking about in this episode. There is an include transcript of this podcast interview, which may be helpful to you with your notetaking. Matthew 28:18-20

Bob Claycamp has been there, done that. He's been a church planter, a longtime senior pastor in North Phoenix, a Christian commune Bible teacher, a senior pastor in Exeter, England, a transitional senior pastor, and since 2010, has served with our team of Poimen Ministries pastors. Bob says, "Sometimes (in searching for leaders) we are looking for a product, and we get a project." Bob says, "When you're looking to identify leaders, begin by looking within your own fellowship." In other words, look for the characteristics of a servant-leader in a man, even if they've not been developed yet. Bob has an eye for leaders. He knows what a true, Biblical leader looks like. He knows how to identify them, coach them up, and help them see their place in the body of Christ. Bob's contention is that the leaders you need may already be in your church. When the essential qualities in a man are recognized, then it's time to pour in to them, so that they will pour out. Wise pastors will seek wisdom from wise pastors who have gone before them. Bob's counsel is simple, and it works.

Today, many churches are hindered in their growth and spiritual wellness by their lack of biblical training for potential leaders. Bill Holdridge sits down and shares his heart and experience regarding how to raise up a vibrant, healthy ministry of consistent, godly leadership. Your church can impact your town and the world at large from the already existing ranks of your own church congregation. What you are about to hear is one of the most needed messages aimed towards every senior pastor in active ministry today.

Pastor Jerel Hagerman is very wise with regard to training and releasing future pastors and leaders. A primary ministry goal of Jerel's has always been to raise future leaders up ... only in the Word of God, but also in practical application to actively prepare them for their own ministries. To this end, he started a Bible College on the church campus, which has developed into a very fruitful one-year program as part of the network of the Calvary Bible Institute. For the older pastor who needs a Timothy, CBI could be your resource. For the younger minister who wants proper preparation for ministry, CBI could also be your resource. Listen to Jerel talk about his vision, and the multiple campuses of CBI ... and what the Lord is doing. Encouraging for any pastor who wants to follow the scriptural pattern of 2 Timothy 2:2.

Bruce Zachary is the founding pastor of Calvary Nexus in Camarillo, CA. Along with the oversight and shepherding of that flock of believers, Bruce has been very active in leadership development all over the world. He co-directs the Calvary Church Planting Network with Pastor Miles DeBenedictis, which helps prospective church planters with training and other aspects of church planting. He also oversees the Velo Church Leadership team that comes alongside of churches and leaders to further equip and strengthen their leadership and service for God's Kingdom. He is also the author of 16 books, as well as two training manuals (which are also in Spanish). Bruce breathes leadership, and oozes leadership. He is a leader's leader as well as a man eager to learn and grow. In this podcast, Bruce will lay out the basics of a church leadership development plan, and will overview the many great resources available through Calvary Nexus, CCPN, and Velo. If you want to grow in leadership, this podcast will help you.

Sometimes it's surprising ... if not always surprising ... to see who God wants to use. Identifying those whom God has called, and brought into our churches, is a very, very large part of the fruit that comes out of any ministry. So why don't pastors spend more time developing leaders? Are there ways to overcome our negligence, or apprehensions, or inexperience? Host Bill Holdridge will talk with Pastor Bob Claycamp on this all important topic in this podcast. Learned from a seasoned pastor who is known by many as a developer of leaders who lead others.