The Monterey Peninsula is truly blessed to have had two generations of "Holdridges" pastoring this diverse community on the Central California coast. Nate hosts his own own podcast entitled "Jesus Famous," and on it, he interviews his father Bill. This insightful, fun and honest discussion will encourage those pastors with their own sons who might be considering the call of the ministry.

The Bible is replete with examples of men and women who were clearly called by the Lord unto something He would work through them to do. Abraham, Moses, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Paul, Timothy, etc. are a few of many such examples. Calling is one thing. Living out one's calling is another thing altogether. Samson failed because rather than live out his calling, he repeatedly decided to live life on his own fleshly terms. If we are to hit the bullseye in life, we must not only know our calling, but use it as the baseline and chief decider concerning how we're going to fulfill it. Calling provides direction, courage, authority, and leadership direction. This is why the pastor-teacher must meditate upon his calling into the office of pastor-teacher, and then follow it. The pastor-teacher probably ought to think on these things every day. And then, calculate what he says "yes" to, and what he says "no" to, accordingly. Podcast 125 is part one of two episodes on this all important subject. We hope it's encouraging to you who shepherd God's people.

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.

FROM OUR "ACTS2 DISTINCTIVES" SERIES~Outreach, that's what we often call it. But outreach by itself, apart from the gospel, is not Great Commission ministry. Pastors Paul Berry of Calvary Chapel Santa Maria, CA and Alan Stoddard of Calvary Chapel Ruidoso, NM join us in today's important discussion on this subject. This is the 2nd of 6 episodes dealing with the distinctives of ministry found in Acts chapter 2. They are: 1. Emphasis and reliance upon the Person and work of the Holy Spirit; 2. Evangelism; 3. Continual commitment to the apostle's teaching; 4. Continual commitment to Biblical fellowship; 5. Continual commitment to the breaking of bread; and 6. Continual commitment to prayers. In this podcast, some of the form of evangelism is talked about ... but even more importantly, the heart of evangelism is discussed. May the Lord bless each of our churches with a heart to sow, and with the blessing of reaping as well.

Here is a conversation with Cliff Stabler, a mentor and friend of show host Bill Holdridge for 40 years. Cliff introduced Bill to an amazing men's discipleship experience called "Barnabas," and to book Authentic Christianity by Ray Stedman. But most importantly, Cliff further introduced Bill to the life of the New Covenant. Cliff is a longtime pastor, a former missionary, and a discipler of men. Cliff was with us for episode 24 ... talking about reaching men, one of his passions in ministry. Part of Cliff's legacy is a list of many men who have gone on to live out their Christian lives in kingdom related ways all over the world. To be discussed in this podcast: What is the New Covenant, as you describe it? What did Ray Stedman teach you about the New Covenant? What led up to your discovery of the New Covenant life? What does the New Covenant life look like in marriage? In ministry? In relationship with the Holy Spirit?

Pastor Bill Walden is a seasoned pastor ... founding pastor of Cornerstone Ministries of Napa, CA (27 years), former lead singer for Undercover and The Mirrors, former College and Career Pastor at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, and current Missions Pastor at Calvary Chapel Napa. He is a major figure for many in Baja, Mexico, and is currently ministering in Bible Colleges and Bill tells his story and adds his insights in an interview all the way from the Andes Mountains in Peru. The corona virus caused a border shutdown in Peru and Bill has been unable to return to the States. Join this conversation as the two Bills verbalize some of their thinking on what this current situation might mean for the church and its leaders. Bill uses the word "recalibrate" to describe what will be needed in the coming days, weeks, months, or even years.

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!

Does anybody even practice what we call church discipline anymore? And if a church does practice church discipline, why do they do it? How do they do it? What is its purpose? Show host and Poimen Ministries Director Bill Holdridge draws from the scriptures, coupled with his experience in pastoral ministry, to make suggestions to pastors about the whys and how's of church disciple. For instance, Bill calls us these principles in mind: Church discipline is closely related to Christian discipleship. If the church discipline process requires separation from the body, the goal of the excommunication is restoration. Church discipline is actually an application of Divine chastening. To be a Great Commission church, the church must exercise church discipline with its many forms and applications. To be a holy church, the church must practice church disciple. To develop mature believers, the church must trust Jesus to assist Him as He perfects His people. One tool He uses is church discipline. This podcast is aimed at helping pastors and churches do this better, with grace and truth applied at the same time. BULLET POINT #1- Church discipline is closely related to Christian discipleship. Discipline and discipleship are part of the same idea. Discipleship could also be called preventative church discipline. When congregants are discipled, they are not candidates for church discipline. A person who is in the Word, in prayer, in fellowship, who exercises his/her spiritual gifts for others’ sake, who is involved in the Great Commission, who is accountable, etc. has made himself immune to the need for corrective church discipline. BULLET POINT #2- Church discipline is actually an application of Divine chastening. (Hebrews 12:6-8) BULLET POINT #3- Matthew 18:15-18 has to do with interpersonal conflicts. Against you is not found in Codex Vaticanus, Codex Sinaiticus do not contain these words, but the Majority text does. (https://credohouse.org/blog/textual-problem-study-matthew-1815) BULLET POINT #4- The number of people who are made aware of the discipline is determined by the number of people who know the ones being disciplined. BULLET POINT #5- If the church discipline process requires separation from the body, the goal of the excommunication is restoration. Restoration to God, first. Then to other believers, second. (Galatians 6:1) BULLET POINT #6- Authority to exercise church disciple comes directly from the Lord Jesus Christ. (Matthew 28:18-20) BULLET POINT #7- Conditions must be clear for the disciplined person’s return into full fellowship. BULLET POINT #8- The church governing documents (Bylaws) and board minutes must be consistent with the Bible’s teaching on church discipline, and internally consistent with BOD minutes or elder’s meeting minutes. BULLET POINT #9- Effective church discipline requires a deep team of leaders that are all-in, and who understand how church discipline should be practiced, Biblically.

Matt Valencia pastors The Regeneration Church in Scotts Valley, CA. He's a father of five, a church planter, a former school teacher, a former assisting pastor, and the current pastor of ReGen Church. He also heads up a team of leaders across Northern California and Northern Nevada. These leaders serve the senior pastors and churches affiliated with the Calvary Chapel Association. In addition to all of these things, and working together with all of it, Matt is a leader. He leads quietly, he leads patiently, he leads with openness. So, I thought he'd be a good person to talk about the spiritual health of the church, the spiritual health of any church. There needs to be a clear set of metrics ... biblical metrics ... by which we can measure our own personal spiritual health, as well as that of the churches we pastor. If we don't know what we're aiming at, how will we ever hit the target? In this episode, show host Bill Holdridge and Pastor Matt talk together, touching these points from a number of interesting angles.