If God chooses the foolish things to shame the wise, then what does that say about me? According to Pastor Jordan Wall, it’s actually pretty simple. In this episode Jordan shares how his story formed a simple approach to his ministry, regardless of the assignment, and how that shifts the fluctuations of ministry from targets to dashboards. Simple. …

Statistically, the number of ministry leaders struggling with their identity, calling and confidence in ministry is growing, and they are feeling more and more isolated. In this episode, Pastor and Executive Director Johnny McCallister unpacks how ministry leaders need each other more than ever before. Johnny shares keys for resiliency learned from…

How does knowing who you’ve been created to be as a leader directly impact your effectiveness in discipling others? Pastor and denominational leader, Beth Hackbarth, sits down for a conversation with us to share how her own journey of self-discovery opened up a new level for her in leading others. In this episode, we also talk about what the long g…

Is it your “ministry”, or your “mission assignment”? Distinguishing this small, yet profound detail has made all the difference for our guest, Pastor Peter Henderson. In this episode, Peter shares how being a survivor of the Columbine thrust him into Pastoral Ministry as a teen–leading him to become a Senior Pastor in his 20’s, the wisdom gained fr…

We’re back! And for our first episode of Season Four we’re visited by Pastor and Non-Profit Leader, Jared Ballenger. In this conversation Jared shares why the word “ministry” has always been spelled “w-o-r-k” (and how that’s not a negative thing), finding freedom on the other side of burnout and the incredible work of rescuing children from human t…

At its core, experiencing pain simply means that something is off. And oftentimes, we think pain is bad. And sometimes it is. And sometimes it can be really useful. In our Season 3 Finale, therapist and pastor, BrianJames McMahon, unpacks for us how being honest and lamenting his own pain changed everything for him–including stepping out of vocatio…

As ministry leaders, there are things about ministry that we hate, and that’s ok. It only took us 37 episodes to get to that, but here we are for a conversation with pastor, professor, fellow podcaster and friend, Tim Lee. In this episode Tim gets reflective on his own recent journey of deconstructing what ministry is vs. what he’s always known, th…

As leaders, we must face the reality that we will all journey with sexual sin and purity, whether personally, and/or with others. In this episode, Robby Booth breaks down how this journey isn’t just about sex, but rather about wounded-ness in hearts. Robby also gives practical tools to combat treating our sexuality like soup, and living fully in th…

How do you keep the “why” of ministry at the forefront of your ministry? Sometimes it takes a healthy dose of perspective of another leader’s reality. This episode with NextGen Leaders, Zach & Caitlin Thomas, may be one of those moments. In this interview they share how they’ve been able to see fruit in their inner city student ministries, the gosp…

How does a failed hunting trip transform the way you minister to others? In this episode our guest, Pastor Marty Schminkey, pulls no punches in sharing how God has used moments like these to change the trajectory of his heart, and ultimately the way he leads others. With authenticity, Marty unpacks how the way he serves, loves and bleeds with other…

Do you ever feel unqualified, or under-equipped as a leader? Well good news, you're not alone! In this episode Pastor and Church Planter, Nina Sims, shares with us how her motto of "Just Show Up" is a daily exercise in courage and confidence in the belief that God placing you in leadership was not an accident. And as you show up, God will too. Reso…

It’s time for a Soul Check, an open discussion with ministry leaders and mental health specialists focused on reinforcing the most important part of you–your soul! In this episode we get Part 2 of our discussion with our friend, Robby Booth, breaking down the practicalities of Healing and Strengthening the Ministry Leader’s soul through the Lord’s …

Today we unbox a new episode type we’re adding to the MWH mix, Soul Check. These episodes will be an open discussion with ministry leaders and mental health specialists focused on reinforcing the most important part of you–your soul! In this episode we get Part 1 of our discussion with our friend, Robby Booth, breaking down the practicalities of He…

Jesus cares more about who I am, than what I do. Pastor and Foursquare Leader, Molly DuQue, shares with us that realizing this truth starts with being honest with yourself. In this episode, Molly unpacks how growing in her self-awareness has shifted ministry to simply “living out the work that Jesus is doing in me,” and how that has made all the di…

When you define ministry, is the first thing you think of, “your life”? It is for this episode’s guest, Pastor and Missions Worker, Tim Wimberly. But Tim’s response doesn’t come from an overly spiritual place, but rather from witnessing first hand God’s faithfulness through 38+ years of a life given to ministry. Tim unpacks how he’s been able to ke…

Have we become professional Christians, abiding in church-ianity? We unpack what this means with our guest, Pastor Andy Sloan. With honesty and humor, Andy shares how he’s learned [the hard way] that being radically on mission is simpler than we may recognize, the practicalities of living out calling, and also what he considers to be his favorite s…

Do I need to step back from ministry, or is it an opportunity to pull myself up by the bootstraps and keep going? In this episode, Pastor Bill Campbell shares how growing with intentionality in self-awareness has helped him distinguish between the two in the course of his decades in ministry. It’s a vulnerable conversation about learning from your …

What’s the biggest obstacle a leader will face within ministry? Recognizing that it’s, “Not about you.” In this episode, Pastor Suzie Genin gets real (and has fun) with her journey of learning humility the hard way, becoming equipped as you equip others, and seeing every invited opportunity to minister as sacred…and also calling out Chad’s question…

New Year, New Vision--or is it? Executive Coach and Pastor, Gary Dunahoo, kicks off Season 3 by positing the question, "What if we could be more present today, trusting that God is going to lead us forward tomorrow?" Through his own experiences and learned wisdom, Gary unpacks practically, what it means to be a leader who stewards all they've been …

Ministry as an individual is one thing, but ministry as a couple is another level. In our stacked Season Two finale, we add Lindsay Garrison, and Dustin and Joanna Black to the ongoing conversation of navigating ministry with your spouse. Together, we unpack the hard earned wisdom gained in clarifying spouse vs. ministry roles, ministry expectation…

When we allow ministry to become task driven, one of the easiest things to lose sight of is the creative expression that is inherent to our Creator. In this episode, we sit down for a fun conversation with minister and FMP Director, Bob Hunt. Bob unpacks for us the importance of creativity within ministry, how it affects everyone involved in the cr…

How do you achieve success in ministry? Become a servant to all. In this episode, Pastor Kimberly Dirmann recounts how God has moved her from a perfectionist people-pleaser focused on outcomes, to recognizing success in simply doing what God says, and not holding on too long. Kimberly also unpacks what cultivating love for people (even difficult on…

Conflict within relationship is unavoidable, but healthy resolution doesn’t come naturally. In this BONUS! episode, Pastor, Chaplain and Therapist, Robby Booth, returns for an extended conversation on pursuing healthy conflict resolution within the relationships every leader holds, and unpacks learned wisdom in seeing relationships strengthened on …

It’s the most important ministry within the church, and yet it’s oftentimes the most overlooked. In this episode we sit down for a conversation with Pastor and NextGen Denominational Leader, Tami Jones, on ministry to the Next Generation (NextGen). Tami unpacks for us trends in NextGen Ministry, best practices for NextGen Leaders, wisdom in leading…

Our ministries are an overflow of our relationships. In this episode Pastor, Chaplain and Therapist , Robby Booth, unpacks the wisdom he's gained in his over 80,000 hours of counseling with ministry leaders and couples. We discuss combatting the false beliefs that hurt relationships, healthy ministry/relationship priorities and practical steps we c…

Happy Summer! For this month's episode, we're excited to introduce a new episode format we are adding to the mix titled "Shop Talk", where we'll do just that--talk shop on a variety of ministry specific topics. For our first Shop Talk, we sit down with pastors Billy Holden and Dustin Black for a roundtable discussion on taking the grind out of plan…

Am I a Pastor, or the CEO of a Small Nonprofit? It's a question that this episode's guest, Pastor Dustin Black, has wrestled with in recent years. Join us for this interview as Dustin deconstructs ministry as a vocation verses ministry as what the leader has been created to do, and also how this simple truth has transformed his ministry and created…

Addiction. As leaders we will either walk with those caught up in it, or find ourselves facing our own. In this episode, we have a raw and real conversation with Bob Vander Meer, a Pastor and Clinician for Pure Desire Ministries. Bob shares about his own journey with sexual addiction with honesty and vulnerability, wisdom to leaders struggling with…

"What you invest is what you will reap, and what you put up with is what you’ll end up with." In this episode, we have a conversation with Paul & Janice Rice, who have planted and pastored Riverside Community Church for over 20 years! In this interview they unpack the joy of being a bi-vocational pastor (seriously!), the roller coaster that is the …

It is one thing to hold a ministry position of leadership, but it's another to believe you're exactly who God should have placed there--especially when it doesn't go the way you thought it would! In this episode Pastor and Denominational leader, Esperanza Morphis, gives candid insight from her recent, unexpected season of ministry role transition, …

"Ministry is never done, and I will disappoint people." In this candid conversation, Pastor and Leadership Coach Trey Abney, unpacks what it means and looks like practically to live and lead with an inner peace that is not influenced or effected by the uncertainty, the expectations or the drama that exists outside of you. Guest Bio: Trey Abney serv…

Ministry is tough, but it can be even tougher on the ministry leader's kids. In our Season Two Premiere, we sit down for a candid conversation with three PK's (Pastor's Kids), two of them adults, one still a "kid", and unpack the highs, lows and burdens the children of ministry leaders experience that most people aren't aware of. Guest Bios: Jeniff…

For our Season One Finale, we join forces with Fred Schmitt and Drew Dodd, ministry leaders and also hosts of The Next Forty Podcast, for a crossover interview about creating community in the digital space, chicken sandwiches, Britney Spears and coming to a place of owning your story--the good, the bad and also the ridiculous. As they say on their …

Why do we do what we do? When the challenges of ministry come, and they will, remembering the answer to this question is crucial to being able to walk through the challenges well. Our guest for this episode is Pastor Jim McGuire, who has served as a Hospice Chaplain for over 22 years. In our discussion Jim shares the "pillars" of living well he has…

Most ministry leaders will say have some sense of "calling" they can point to for being in the ministry they are serving. But in pursuing wholeness, leaders need to go beyond, or beneath their call and consider less holy reasons for going into ministry. In this episode pastor and licensed therapist, Lindsay Garrison, addresses the root of many inse…

If there was ever a word that accurately sums up what is needed to be a ministry leader, "Grit" does it well. Ministry is not something for the thin-skinned or weak of heart. It requires courage, resolve and strength of character in the face of adversity--otherwise known as, Grit. In this episode, seasoned Pastor and Leader, Loren Houltberg, shares…

Taking the reins of leadership in ministry, especially when it's for the first time, can be quite a challenge. Is it possible in the midst of the messiness of starting a new ministry leadership assignment to stay sane? In this episode, we sit down with Pastor Gary Roca to debrief with him on completing his first year of leading as a Senior Pastor, …

In ministry, you will inevitably encounter conflict, and ultimately your ministry will be evaluated by how you deal with conflict. In this episode, Dr. Daniel Mundt, National Coach for the Foursquare Church, shares the leadership lessons and wisdom he's gained through conflict, confrontation and criticism within ministry. Using practical examples f…

The only thing that's constant, is change. Yet most people don't like (or possibly HATE?) it at all. This holds true especially in ministry, and more often then we want to admit, our leadership within our ministries. In this episode, Billy Holden, Lead Pastor of Innovation Church in Lafayette, IN discusses how he has learned to be fueled by change,…

Ministry is not meant to be done apart from your relationships. When agreement between ministry couples is missing, the shared ministry will suffer and the relationship is headed for trouble. In this episode, Pastors and Church Planters, Justin & Janae Klatt, unpack the unique dynamic of Co-leading in ministry. Through sharing about their church pl…

Everyone is looking for a hero. But trying to fulfill the "Ministry Hero Spot" is a blueprint to hating your ministry and losing your own identity. In this episode, speaker and nonprofit founder, Christina Hernandez, tells her story of tragedy and the heartbreaks that have shaped her own pursuit of authentic leadership. Christina also unpacks for u…

In a world that continues to trend towards increasing divisiveness, the task of implementing and cultivating unity gets harder each day for leaders. Pursuing unity within our ministries, and with those we are leading is something that is often talked about, even preached about--but what does that really look like? In this episode, Jeff Watts, Lead …

If we seek to LOVE the ministry we lead for the long haul, we'd better get real in bearing the fruit of JOY. For our very first episode, we wanted to "set the table" for what's to come, but start off by interviewing show producer and pastor, Brenton Hill, on the subject of keeping Joy within our ministry. Through this candid conversation, you'll fi…