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 Transitions have an awful lot to teach us about pastoring the churches we currently pastor. There are lessons on developing leaders, about communication, about godly vision, and many other subjects. In this podcast, Pastor Ed Compean of Shoreline Calvary Chapel in Morro Bay, CA, and Pastor Jack Arnold of Calvary Mt. Si in North Bend, WA share their stories, stories which are intertwined, but also are very different. With them, show host Bill Holdridge explores subjects like reentry from the mission field, cultural adjustments, leadership equity and how to gain it, and vision for church and community.

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.

Jimmy Morales pastors a wonderful church body in Las Vegas, Nevada. The name of the fellowship is Calvary Chapel Lone Mountain. I (show host Bill Holdridge) had the privilege of being with this congregation early in February of 2022. One of the plans we had for my time there was to record a podcast interview with Jimmy ... only in this podcast he would be the one interviewing me. He wanted to hear about pastoral transitions, so he prepared a list of commonly asked (or unasked) questions on that topic. So, that's what we talked about. Jimmy is not in the process of transition himself, nor is he planning a transition. He's still young, the church is exploding, and he's got a lot of gas left in his ministry tank. But Jimmy does have a heart for other pastors, and thus, the questions. When is a good time for a pastor to retire from his church pastorate? How does a transition process move forward? What should pastors do now, even those pastors who have years ahead of them in their present church? Is it better to choose a successor from within the fellowship, or from without? How involved should church leaders be in helping the pastor transition? And so on. Listen in. Pass it on. As we've said many times before, unless Jesus Christ returns before a pastor dies, someone else will pastor that church. Why not (at the very least) start pastoring as a pastor who is in transition? Why not have an emergency plan in case something happens to you? Why not invite outside counsel to come in and help with your thinking process?

Steve Sager is a seasoned and balanced pastor with a long history and varied history with Calvary Chapels — in many places and for different seasons. During much of his pastoral ministry, Steve has been bi-vocational. He was with the first Calvary Chapel ministry in Napa, CA which produced a shocking number of pastors who went out from there to plant other churches (Joseph Prudhomme, Frank Ippolito, Jay McCarl, Lee Shaw, Damian Kyle, Larry Anderson to mention a few). Steve has served as an assistant pastor, an elder, a worship leader, and as a senior/lead pastor. His passion is the ministry of the Word of God. With all his experiences and history, Steve offers a unique and encouraging perspective on pastoral ministry. Be refreshed. SPECIAL NOTE: On August 5, 2021, our brother and friend Steve passed away due to COVID-19 in Henderson, NV. He was 70 years old. He was a loving husband and an amazing father to four children.