Mark Gomez has pastored three churches in his years of pastoral ministry, totaling more than 35 years as a senior/lead pastor or church planter. Mark came to Christ as a result of an intellectual conflict with one of his high school teachers... it's an interesting story. He has lived in Utah for 25+ years, which is where he served in his last pastorate. His pastorate was a very fruitful one, one that was effective in reaching members of the LDS church. Now Mark is moving into a huge and much needed arena of ministry, as he continues within his calling as a pastor-teacher. Be blessed and strengthened as you listen...

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 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.

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.

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 Tim Brown joins show host Bill Holdridge in this huge issue for pastors ... made even more do due to this particular election year. Pastor Tim has a gift of turning complexities into simplicity, which can be very helpful for pastors who want tips on how to navigate these choppy waters and stormy seas. Tim is the pastor of Calvary Chapel in Fremont, California.

Every senior/lead pastor knows about the Great Commission and its importance in fulfilling God's vision for the church. But what does that look like in the life and ministry of the busy pastor? Pastor Trip Kimball has a long history of pouring into people that they might follow Christ well. In this podcast, program host Bill Holdridge will interview Pastor Trip to help us all discover how we can grow as disciplers.

How can the senior or lead pastor connect with the people in his church? How should he conduct himself, and what are some great ways to reach the people that are attending the church? Of course, this is vital if the Great Commission will be fulfilled. Bill Holdridge, host of Strength for Today's Pastor, interviews Pastor Al James in this very important session on the role of the senior/lead pastor.

Pastor Dale Lewis is an example of a man who continues to allow the Lord to do what He wants in and through his life. Dale has pastored two churches: Calvary Chapel Merced in the central valley of California, and Bitterroot Calvary Chapel in Hamilton, Montana. He has since retired from the church in Montana, and now lives in Florida, from which he continues to serve the Lord within his calling and gifting. I’ve known Dale since 1981, and will never forget the Sunday morning when he and his wife Donna both raised their hands to receive Christ. As an older pastor friend of mine used to say, “They got saved real good.” Dale is not only a follower of Jesus Christ, he is also a discipler of men. Dale is also involved with a project stemming from his many years of verse-by-verse Bible teaching. Through scripturesupply.com, the Word of God is going out to anyone in the world who can read manuscript Bible teaching notes in any of 103 languages. Keep listening to the end. There is a huge opportunity for pastors to become better equipped to mentor others.

Pastor Rich Lammay of High Sierra Fellowship in Gardnerville, NV shares his experience in taking a three month sabbatical after 34 years in full time ministry.