Pastors are often isolated and feel alone. It's difficult to find others that can relate to the unique challenges of the ministry. Not too surprisingly, pastors report that they often suffer from discouragement, and even depression.

Pastor Jeff Birmingham started River Rocks Church in 2012. But after about five years into the effort, he and his wife Jessica were worn out ... about ready to throw in the towel. It was then that things started to happen. A new focus emerged, the strategic leadership development began, and improvement was on its way. An enjoyable season of ministry has been the God-given result. There is now a team, and Jeff is leading relationally, and not just as a boss. Hear the story in this podcast, and learn some creative ideas for doing things differently. In this case, different is also Biblical.

Let's face it ... in almost every church, about 1/3 of the worship portion of the service is devoted to singing to and about God. And another significant portion is devoted to teaching/preaching. Doesn't it make sense we pastors should pursue a great, unified relationship with our worship leader(s) and team(s)? Yet many of us are bewildered concerning how to get that done. Holland Davis has been leading worship since he was 16 years old. And he has served as the worship leader for pastors of a couple of the largest churches in America. He is currently a senior pastor himself—of Calvary Chapel in San Clemente, CA. Therefore, Holland is uniquely fitted to help every pastor know how to serve, lead, and enable his worship leaders be the best Jesus has made them to be. Show host Bill Holdridge speaks with Holland in this podcast episode #40 of Strength for Today's Pastor.

What's it like to minister in Las Vegas? Known for its infamous moniker, "Sin City," it does a lot to live up to that. Its other famous tagline is "what happens here stays here," a line that invites all manner of dark activities. Can people be reached in a place like Las Vegas? Can a church thrive? Is it possible to hear from the Holy Spirit concerning how to reach the lost in a place like Vegas? Take it from one who has lived in Las Vegas for decades, the answer is "yes." The methodology employed is Spirit-led, and Word-driven. Add to these things a surprising component, and you've got life! Our guest: Pastor John Knapp. Be encouraged.

Danny Lehmann is a leader in Youth With A Mission (YWAM), an international missions and church planting thrust that has had a tremendous world-wide Kingdom impact. In this podcast, Danny will be talking with us on the subject of vision. Specifically, we’ll be talking about a Biblical pattern for seeing and receiving God’s vision for our lives and ministries. Danny is keen on the subject of church life as well, having served for many years with Pastor Bill Stonebraker at Calvary Chapel Honolulu. YWAM has been, from its inception, big on hearing God's voice, obeying His voice, and persevering through the word commanded by that voice. YWAM founder Loren Cunningham has modeled that approach, and YWAMers have sought to emulate his pattern. Danny Lehmann has written four books on evangelism: Go! The Excitement of Personal Evangelism, For the Gospel’s Sake, Bringin’ Em Back Alive, and Beautiful Feet. He has also written on the subject of spiritual discipline: Before You Hit the Wall, as well as STOKED! Firing Up Your Passion for God. His latest book is entitled The Next Big Thing: How Little Choices Can Make a Big Impact. Danny lives in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, with his wife Linda and now serves as part of the leadership team for YWAM Kona. NOTES from Danny's 5 Points about asking for, receiving, and implementing the vision the Lord gives us: 1) The PRAYER FOR THE VISION. Nehemiah 1:1-10 … his vision was initiated by God and prayed through by Nehemiah. Also Habakkuk 1:2-4; 12-17 … he cried out to God because of the injustice in the land and the LORD’s seeming indifference to it all. 2) THE POSTURE FOR RECEIVING THE VISION. (we must do the possible) Habakkuk 2:1 I will stand my watch and set myself on the rampart, and watch to see what He will say to me, and what I will answer when I am corrected. 3) THE PROPHETIC WORD THE DETAILS OF THE VISION. Habakkuk 2:2 “Write the vision and make it plain upon tablets that he that reads it may run.” 4) FOR THE PROLIFERATION OF THE VISION. The vision must cast so that others may run with it. Habakkuk 2:2-3 Then the Lord answered me and said: “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, It will not tarry. 5) PERSEVERANCE TO OBEY THE VISION. Often there is a “death of a vision,” so that God’s will and word can be resurrected.

Many churches are experiencing a leadership deficit. There are too few biblical elders, too few deacons, and not as many people who know which spiritual gifts they’ve been given by the Spirit, what they are called to do, or what ministries the Lord has opened up for them. Many leadership teams are not in alignment with their pastor in doctrine and practice, nor are they in alignment with each other. There are many fellowships — normal sized (50-200 regular attenders) — that believe they do not possess the resources to begin strong leadership development and equipping and training of the saints. That's what this podcast is all about. It's going to help the equipping senior pastor do the work of equipping those whom the Lord is calling into leadership ministry positions. And, he doesn't have to have it all figured out. He can join others who are part of what pastor Donn Fisher of Calvary Chapel Raynham, Massachusetts is talking about in this episode. There is an include transcript of this podcast interview, which may be helpful to you with your notetaking. Matthew 28:18-20

Pastor David Guzik is a student, as well as a pastor-teacher. As a student, he has done extensive study on the subject of revival. In this podcast episode, hear David speak about what revival is and is not, as well as the possibility of a revival happening once again in our communities, our states, our country, or in our world. For David's website, go to: www.enduringword.com.

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.

Host Bill Holdridge interviews Pastor Bryan Newberry, a senior pastor for 32+ years. Bryan is passionate about connecting with the next generation, and exudes proper confidence in the Lord that it's doable. Many pastors are asking, "why are the young people leaving?" And most of the time, we pastors are unclear about what to do about it! But the next gen WANTS to be reached, and Bryan provides Biblical, practical, Jesus centered, and easy to implement practices that will encourage any pastor to go for it. Part two of this two part series focuses on some of the 'must do' practices for the church that wants to fulfill the Great Commission as it reaches the younger people. Bryan's suggestions, if applied, have the potential to radically change the dynamic of any church.

Host Bill Holdridge interviews Pastor Bryan Newberry, a senior pastor for 32+ years. Bryan is passionate about connecting with the next generation, and exudes proper confidence in the Lord that it's doable. Many pastors are asking, "why are the young people leaving?" And most of the time, we pastors are unclear about what to do about it! But the next gen WANTS to be reached, and Bryan provides Biblical, practical, Jesus centered, and easy to implement practices that will encourage any pastor to go for it. Part one of this two part series focuses on the mindset of today's youth, and how our churches can adjust to that mindset. The message and foundation remains the same as we reach out to young people, but the approach and methods can and must adjust.