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?

Episode number 100- a real milestone in the ministry of this podcast, but also of over 12 years of ministry as a team of pastors. In this program, the roles are reversed as post production editor Jeff Jones interviews Poimen Ministries director Bill Holdridge. Listen in as Jeff asks Bill about: …the origin of Poimen Ministries …some of his personal habits and his life in Christ …about the team of pastors …about the why and how of choosing podcast interviewees It's an interesting, and hopefully edifying discussion. Hope you can join us!

Poimen Ministries staff pastor Mark Walsh shares his journey of faith throughout different continents of the world in serving the Church ... and the lessons learned along the way. We'll also discuss a new vision that has been birthed for Europe and the U.K. in equipping a new generation of church leadership in these critical regions of the world. Great insights and encouragement await all who listen to this meaningful conversation.

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.

From hippie commune to the business world; from the business world to planting and pastoring a wonderfully fruitful church, from senior pastoral ministry to Poimen Ministries, and then on to the mission field with Poimen Ministries, and now back in the U.S. strengthening pastors and their wives … Bob and Jeanne Claycamp have seen and experienced much. Listen to their story as they tell of the faithfulness and power of God through willing vessels. Being used of God … many lessons contained in this couple’s life together.

Today we have as our guest pastor Tim Brown of Calvary Chapel Fremont, CA, where he has served as the founding and senior pastor since 1997. A graduate of San Jose Bible College, Tim is a true pastor-teacher, and is a gifted writer. He has been one of the most listened to guests on Strength for Today’s Pastor, and it’s always good to have him with us. Tim, welcome back to the program. Thanks for joining us. Tim, the COVID 19 situation has created some unforeseen, almost unimaginable scenarios for pastors and churches. In fact, the very first state issued stay-at-home orders were in California (March 19). Public gatherings and schools were prohibited from meeting as scheduled; restaurants were closed to indoor seating, etc. And then there’s what happened with the church. DISCUSSION Question: Tim, you’ve been writing a blog almost daily throughout most of the pandemic, in a pastoral effort to shepherd the church through this crisis. What motivated you to do this, and how has the Lord used it? Question: Maybe you could briefly summarize what’s been happening since then, especially with respect to the churches in California… Question: So this week, you came out with one of most epic blogs, which makes the case that civil disobedience is not rebellion. I read it immediately, and almost immediately shared it on my FB page, and told others about it. So we’ve already stated the basic premise of the article … so tell us how you develop your argument in your blog. Question: So drawing from your blog post, let’s say the state says, “churches may not meet indoors or may not meet anywhere publicly.” There are criteria that each pastor and leadership team will use to make their decision. What are those criteria? You mention the decision to engage in civil disobedience is actually a matter of conscience. What do you mean by that, and why is it important? Question: You wrote that there is an ‘unnecessary tension’ in local churches due to misunderstanding the difference between civil disobedience and rebellion. For me, your article completely eliminated this tension. Please elaborate, if you would. Why is there an unnecessary tension? How does that tension go away? Question: You wrote: “Rebellion is seeking to overthrow the institution of the State or escape the prosecution of the State whereas civil disobedience is noncompliance to a law of the State when it violates conscience.” For me, these definitions turned on the light bulb in my brain. So how do the definitions apply as they relate to a church deciding to remain open during COVID-19 restrictions? You cite an example from the book of Acts, in chapter 4… Question: Your final statement in the article stated that “A proper understanding of the difference between civil disobedience and rebellion may help to ease some of the tensions felt as local churches consider whether or not to reopen.” I noticed that phrase, ‘as local churches consider whether or not to reopen.” That seemed like a wonderful conciliatory tone, and very gracious. Obviously, you’re leaving it up to each church to decide. Yes? What’s your heart for other pastors and churches going through these times? RESOURCES Pastor Tim’s teachings are available at calvaryfremont.org/sermons. His blogs throughout the COVID-19, by which he has masterfully led his fellowship, can be found at calvaryfremont.org/addressing-covid-19. Also, if you have questions you’d like feedback from Tim about … just send us an email at strongerpastors@gmail.com, and I’ll pass it on to Tim and he’ll get back to you. CLOSING So before we go, we always enjoy your feedback and happily entertain suggestions for future podcast topics that may be of help to senior pastors and church leaders. Also, please visit our website to learn of the myriad ways the Poimen Ministries team of pastors can help encourage and strengthen you in your ministry. From the staff, pastors and board of Directors here at Poimen Ministries, we wish God’s very best upon you and your ministry. So long, until next week…

Pastor Greg Phelps is the new senior/lead pastor of Calvary Chapel Red Bluff, CA. His is the story of eventual agreement with God's calling upon his life for this role, although he was like Moses initially ... very hesitant. Pastor Bryan Newberry was the Transitional Senior Pastor from Poimen Ministries that moved to Red Bluff with his wife Cheryl for nine months, and helped the church move from being stuck to unstuck. Pastor Greg and Poimen Ministries pastor Terry McNabb tell the story of this church transition, and how the church was restored to health.

Pastoral transition is real, and unless Jesus Christ returns for His church before a specific pastor dies, someone else will be the pastor of his church! In this podcast, Poimen Ministries Director Bill Holdridge provides fodder for thought for the senior/lead pastor who is considering whether or not to move on to something else. Is the senior pastor certain that it's his time to leave? Does he feel called to be an essential part of the selection of his successor? Will the next pastor come from within the church, or from without? What are the vital parts of any successful transition? These subjects are all discussed in this podcast. Poimen Ministries invites any senior/lead pastor with questions on pastoral transition to reach out to them at strongerpastors@gmail.com.

Pastor, is the Holy Spirit to overflowing from you and empowering you for ministry? This conversation addresses holy qualifications in our service to Christ. Acts chapter 19 opens with this narrative: "And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples, he said to them, 'Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?' " Eventually, these followers of John the Baptist became followers of Jesus Christ, and were miraculously baptized with the Holy Spirit of God. Charles Finney, in his book Power from On High, wrote:  “In a former article I said that the lack of the Baptism of the Spirit should be deemed a disqualification for a pastor, a deacon or elder, a Sunday School teacher, a professor in a Christian College, and especially a professor in a theological seminary.  "Is this a hard saying? Is this an uncharitable saying? Is it unjust? Is it unreasonable? Is it unscriptural?  "Suppose any one of the Apostles, or those present on that day of Pentecost, had failed through apathy, selfishness, unbelief, indolence, or ignorance to obtain this Baptism with the Holy Spirit, would it have been uncharitable, unjust, unreasonable, or unscriptural, to have accounted him disqualified for the work which Christ has in fact called us all?  "Christ had expressly informed them that without this endowment they could do nothing. He had expressly enjoined them not to attempt it in their own strength.” So, the earnest, honest question for all who serve our Lord Jesus Christ is the same. Have we received the Holy Spirit? And beyond that, are we walking in His power and fulness? Do we rely upon Him — and upon Him alone — for the qualifications and power to do what only Christ can do through us by the Spirit's power? Exhortation and encouragement are the two sides of the same spiritual coin. Prepare to be exhorted and encouraged, and may the Lord break out upon us with power, passion, and the pursuit of the highest calling imaginable... to know Christ, and to make Him known. Paul Berry is the founder of Acts 19 Ministries, as well as a team pastor with Poimen Ministries. Paul pastored Calvary Chapel Santa Maria, CA for over 30 years until stepping aside to pursue the leading of the Holy Spirit in this next chapter of his ministry life.  Websites: www.acts19ministries.faith https://www.poimenministries.com/index.php/about Email: paul.berry2@icloud.com