Program host Bill Holdridge interviews Pastor Gillett Doggett on the subjects of the senior pastor's retirement, care for his widow should the pastor go home to be with the Lord, and adequately preparing for a church transition when and if it gets to be that time. This program will be helpful for church boards of directors, elder boards, deacon boards, and finance and budget committees. The senior/lead pastor may consider making this show available to his leadership team(s). Gillett Doggett has served the Lord for many years, and is like a modern day Caleb. This octogenarian has a great passion for the care of pastoral widows, and for the pastor and his family.

Part two of a insightful conversation about identifying the pitfalls and preserving a lasting legacy of finishing well in ministry ... with Dr. Richard Clinton.

Bob Larson of Calvary Chapel Caldwell, Idaho, doesn't do things the way others expect him to do. He has a clearly defined set of priorities, and he lives them out in family life and in church life. He also applies (literally) the words of the apostle Paul in Philippians 4:8 ... and in doing so, his thought life has been profoundly affected. Prepare to hear a different slant on the rhythms of pastoral life and ministry. Is in unbiblical or unspiritual for a pastor to have fun? This podcast contains tools/concepts that every pastor can use, and tailor make for himself. Enjoy.

For anyone paying attention, it is obvious that something is going on that is unprecedented in the United States (and also worldwide). "Wokeness," "Cancel Culture," "Critical Race Theory," and of course, the COVID-19 pandemic have been part of massive government overreach and intrusion into all of our lives. In Podcast 102 we interviewed Pastor Lance Ralston on the subject of Christians in the U.S., living in an increasingly totalitarian state. Lance was talking about the book Live Not By Lies by Rod Dreher, and the subject of suffering as a result of totalitarianism. As we talked, Lance mentioned some of the ways he is helping his church get discipled into being ready to suffer for being a Christian in today’s world. To get the full context of that discussion, you’ll be able to find it in podcast 102. In order to prepare for his message series, Lance embarked on a study of the theology of suffering, and his four-part series is the result. This podcast is Part One of that series.

Gayle Erwin is an international treasure, a man who has allowed the Lord to use his life for many years as an author, pastor, lecturer, professor, and conference speaker. Gayle has (as he puts it) "one string on his guitar," and that string is Jesus and His nature. This podcast is on that subject. How does the nature of Jesus effect the way we live as pastors, and how we shepherd the flocks the Lord has committed to our charge? In Gayle's classic book The Jesus Style, Gayle goes into great detail to show that the nature of Jesus is understood from these descriptions embedded in the teachings of Scripture: 1. Jesus came as a Servant (not to be served) 2. Jesus did not Lord It over others... 3. Jesus came as an Example 4. Jesus was Humble 5. Jesus came as a Child 6. Jesus came as the Younger 7. Jesus was Last 8. Jesus was Least 9. Jesus used No Force 10. Jesus possessed No Blind or Selfish Ambition 11. Jesus made Himself of No Reputation 12. Jesus was fully Human 13. Jesus was wholly Obedient 14. Jesus was obedient unto Death Hopefully, this podcast will inspire pastors and leaders to undergo a new and fresh study of Jesus, that we might all make the Main One the main thing. In Gayle's own words, in the preface to the book, he writes: "This is the Jesus I want to talk about, the Jesus who called himself a servant. For reasons I cannot understand, I have not, in my research, found the qualities of servanthood, which seem so self-evident and basic to who Jesus is, treated in any but a surface and brief way. I only know that the realization of them and even minimal incorporation of them into life has power that I cannot describe; I can only invite you." “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:42–45)

Time away ... distance ... can often bring new perspective. Pastor Nate Holdridge of Calvary Monterey gained new wisdom and insight into the way he is to minister to his family, and he gained this perspective while on sabbatical. This podcast isn't a spanking, it's an encouragement. It's wisdom for the pastor who loves his family.

Strength for Today's Host Bill Holdridge interviews his son Nate, the senior pastor of Calvary Monterey on the Monterey Peninsula in California. Nate was able to take a two month sabbatical after 20 years of ministry in the church, and he shares some of what he learned and observed from his time away with his family. This will bless and encourage the senior pastor to make room for sabbath, and some of the valid and important reasons to do it.

Pastor Alan Stoddard wrote his doctoral thesis for Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary on the subject of sermon based small groups. That thesis eventually became a book, entitled Groups that Revitalize: Bringing New Life to Your Church through Sermon-Based Small Groups, co-authored with Kenneth Priest. Alan is passionate about the amazing discipleship opportunities doing sermon based small groups provides for any church ... especially for churches that are committed to expositional Bible teaching. He shares with us his discoveries and methods in truly making authentic disciples according to the bible. In today's podcast, we will find useful ideas and resources to reach people for eternity.

Pastor Alan Stoddard wrote his doctoral thesis for Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary on the subject of sermon based small groups. That thesis eventually became a book, entitled Groups that Revitalize: Bringing New Life to Your Church through Sermon-Based Small Groups, co-authored with Kenneth Priest. Alan is passionate about the amazing discipleship opportunities doing sermon based small groups provides for any church ... especially for churches that are committed to expositional Bible teaching. This podcast presents the case for sermon based groups, as an effective way to kill several birds with one stone. Biblical fellowship can be a result, along with a much deeper dive into Sunday's teaching. This will enliven the Sunday morning pulpit experience, giving it an even greater sense of purpose in the heart of the pastor-teacher. Alan is also passionate about church revitalization. Sermon based small groups can play a major role in that happening as well.

Ron Arbaugh is the senior and founding pastor of Calvary Chapel San Antonio, Texas. Ron is a gracious and wonderful leader, and the Lord has blessed the ministry big-time in San Antonio, and expanded the church's reach amazingly. Ron was kind enough to invite me to join him on his call in daily (M-F) radio program entitled "Word to Stand On for Life" (https://www.calvarysa.com/radio-1). As he thought might happen, no one called in that day. Apparently (as Ron told me), people don't call in if the convo Ron is having with his guest is interesting! Anyway, it was an organic, fun conversation about a number of topics which I hope you'll find interesting and edifying. Listening to Ron, I am always encouraged in the areas of vision and faith. I trust the same will be true for you.