Many pastors do not consider the idea of taking an extended time away from their normal pastoral duties, to be renewed and strengthened personally and in ministry. Yet at the same time we hear about how many pastors are leaving the ministry these days ... many of which admit to experiencing burnout, lack of vision, or a weakened spiritual life. Maybe you, pastor, may be in need of a sabbatical. In this program, Host Bill Holdridge speaks with longtime pastor John Cowan about what a sabbatical is, and why it's important to consider. John calls a sabbatical a time of "refueling." If you've been in your church for ten years or more, you may indeed be a candidate for a sabbatical. Perhaps this podcast can help you determine that.

Dan Finfock of Intensive Care Ministries (icmbible.com) is a world traveling (53 countries) fanatic concerning the IBS method of Observation, Interpretation, and Application. For 43 years Dan has trained pastors and Christian leaders, as well as members of many church congregations in the U.S. and abroad. IBS is the most Biblical way of studying the Bible ... and should be the Biblical foundation of all Bible teaching and preaching. This episode will encourage those who are using the inductive method of Bible study already, will inspire those who aren't to learn Dan's simple methodology, and will try to convince today's pastor to reach for the commentaries only after having worked with the text directly thoroughly. Connections to Intensive Care Ministries for training and materials are in the podcast.

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.

Sometimes it's surprising ... if not always surprising ... to see who God wants to use. Identifying those whom God has called, and brought into our churches, is a very, very large part of the fruit that comes out of any ministry. So why don't pastors spend more time developing leaders? Are there ways to overcome our negligence, or apprehensions, or inexperience? Host Bill Holdridge will talk with Pastor Bob Claycamp on this all important topic in this podcast. Learned from a seasoned pastor who is known by many as a developer of leaders who lead others.

Literally nothing that lasts happens without leadership—good leadership—by men and women who are both biblical and Spirit led. Organizations and churches depend upon it. Yet sadly, there oftentimes seems to be a dearth of willing leaders within our churches ... at least not as many as there should be. Pastor Bob Claycamp is a seasoned pastor (40+ years) who is also a pastor of pastors. Bob has made it part of his life's mission to develop leaders. Join host Bill Holdridge and Pastor Bob as they dive into this all important topic. Be encouraged as Bob shares some of the major lessons he's learned over the years, and be refreshed in your calling to develop leaders within your own church.

Again, Bill Holdridge picks the brain of Pastor Phil Evans on the subject of church assessments. Phil came out of a business background and into the pastorate about 40 years ago, and uses the organizational mind that God has given him, a great sense of humor, and a calm spirit to help many pastors. He's become sort of an assessment guru with Poimen Ministries. Give a listen to this podcast if you're interested in having a fresh set of eyes, a non-threatening and encouraging set of eyes, a confidential set of eyes—upon you and/or your ministry. This show highlights some of what was talked about in Part one of this series, and then goes into a bit more detail on what it looks like to have an assessment done at your church.

A fresh set of eyes. Face it, we get used to our surroundings—and as pastors, we can become unaware of things we would have noticed X number of years ago. We can sometimes use a fresh set of eyes. In this podcast, Poimen Ministries Director Bill Holdridge will talk with Pastor Phil Evans. Phil is excellent at doing church assessments, and has helped many senior pastors with a better and more clear look at their ministries. In part one, we will discuss what a church assessment is, and what it is not. Spoiler alert: it's a very encouraging and strengthening process. Proverbs 1:5 provides a scriptural reason for having an assessment done. A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel...

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.

Warren Wiersbe served the Lord Jesus well ... and his impact upon the body of Christ, and upon pastor-teachers, is incalculable. Join host Bill Holdridge as he is joined by Pastors David Guzik (https://enduringword.com) and Jeff Jones as they share about the legacy of this faithful steward of God's Word. Though Warren Wiersbe is in heaven, his writings and his life still speak.

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.