It's wise to listen to any pastor who has faithfully and successfully borne fruit for almost 50 years of ministry. In this episode Pastor Steve Carr of Calvary Chapel Arroyo Grande, CA will talk with Bill Holdridge about the recently completed transition of CCAG to a younger pastor. It's a textbook transition, one from which we can all learn. Spoiler alert: every pastor and church at least must have an emergency plan, then follow that up with a long-term plan, as the Lord leads. Steve is available by email at scarrck@lightspeed.net and via his website at https://covenantkeepers.org.

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.

Stepping aside from a senior pastor role can be a fearful and uncertain venture. Who will lead this church moving forward? How will the congregation adjust to a new pastor? What will I do after the transition is complete? Pastor Bill Walden of Cornerstone Ministries of Napa, CA (now called Calvary Chapel Napa), led his elders and church through a five year process that is going very well on both ends. Bill and his leaders read a lot, prayed a lot, talked a lot, and planned a lot. And the end result is working. If you're considering transitioning your church in the future, this will encourage you. Remember: unless you are still the senior pastor when Jesus returns, someone else will be the senior pastor of your church!

Pastor Don Rypstra is in his last days of a long pastorate in Rochester, Minnesota. He and his wife's move to northern Idaho means that a new normal is waiting for them, but also that someone will be called into an exciting opportunity to pastor and reach the people of Rochester, home of the world-renowned Mayo Clinic. Pastor Don is not unlike many pastors, world-wide. Don is conscientious, faithful, thoughtful, and committed to Christ and the gospel. Another thing Don has been: he's been bi-vocational throughout his senior/lead pastor life. Over 25 years ago, he moved his family from California to Rochester in a career related move. Then the Lord called him into pastoral ministry, and to start a church. Which is what he did. Don refers to himself as a small church pastor. More and more, others refer to such pastors as normal sized church pastors, because it's a more accurate description in terms of average church size in the U.S. In this podcast, Don tells part of their story to show host Bill Holdridge. Not only is their story told, but the opportunity is now open to another called and gifted man to assume the leadership of Calvary Chapel Rochester.

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.

Pastoral coaching has been a relatively new development in the past several years. Pastors, hungry to to their best and eager to find their ministry sweet spot, are more open than ever to have a seasoned 'coach' who can help them rediscover their passion, clarify their vision, and regain some of their strength. It's even better when the coach is a seasoned pastor himself. In this podcast, program host Bill Holdridge interviews Pastor Terry McNabb. Terry introduces us to the process of pastoral coaching ... what it is, why it's a healthy thing to do, and what to expect. Terry is a longtime and seasoned senior pastor who experienced a coaching relationship while in his former church. It was tremendously helpful to him, and set him on a course that greatly enhanced himself and his ministry.

Pastoral ministry—especially as it pertains to the office of pastor-teacher—can be extremely multi-faceted. For most pastors, there is far more to do than hours in which to do them. Especially considering the fact that pastors have wives and families. Especially considering that pastors require get proper rest ... in sleep and sabbath. Especially considering the need for exercise and good health habits. But does pastoral ministry have to be as multi-faceted as we've allowed it to become? Do we really need to run in all eight lanes of the race? Or is there one primary lane that we must stay in? What does that look like? Let's explore this important subject.

Brian Hill is on the younger side of pastoral ministry, but is much older in wisdom. Much has been said about the ways the Lord prepares His vessels, men in whom He pours Himself and then flows through them to equip and bless others. That's the journey of Brian Hill. This is a cool story, an encouraging bio of a man used by God. Testimonies are helpful to everyone. Pastoral testimonies are particularly helpful to pastors and leaders. Be encouraged!

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.

Paul LeBoutillier shares his conviction for the need of personal counseling based upon the precepts of God's Word, so that pastors will not be led astray by secular methods that are prevalent today.