Growing Together

Would you like to experience deeper more memorable and impactful conversations in ministry?  Whether in spiritual formation, pastoral care, session or staff meetings, the quality of our conversations either negatively or positively enhances our influence and impact as leaders.  In this podcast, we will present three skills that can be added to your pastoral tool belt to deepen your connections and...

Evangelism: Why is it so hard for us to share good news? There are certainly costs to sharing the gospel yet we all know how critical evangelism is for the kingdom. Hear a conversation with Rico Tice from Christianity Explored as we delve into this indispensable topic. Learn more at https://www.christianityexplored.org/ .

Join us as we chat with John Pearson, Associate Coordinator for RUF (Reformed University Fellowship), about the spiritual work RUF is doing on college campuses. John shares his journey to RUF and offers insights into the RUF mission, exciting developments, and challenges facing campus ministries today. John also highlights the mutually beneficial relationship between RUF and local churches and exp...

Host Chris Vogel chats with Carolyn Phillips, Director of Organizational Relations for MTW, about the collaborative efforts between MNA and MTW in preparing together for the harvest. Carolyn shares her experiences in various regions and her current role as a connector within MTW. She highlights the exciting connections taking place, including church planter training at the Global Missions Conferen...

David Gentino, Sr. Pastor at Columbia Presbyterian Church, shares his journey of planting and growing a church in Columbia, SC. He discusses the transformative impact of their outreach on the campus of a historically black university and how it has shaped their congregation and inspired new works in the Palmetto Presbytery. David offers valuable advice for predominantly white PCA churches seeking...

John Wingard, Professor of Philosophy and Dean of Humanities at Covenant College, joins Growing Together to share insights into Covenant College's vital role in preparing the next generation of leaders for the Church. He discusses the importance of Christian higher education in the PCA, Covenant College's navigation of current cultural shifts, and the exciting trends he sees among studen...

In this episode of Growing Together, we are joined by guest Andy Jones, the new Editor-in-Chief of byFaith, the PCA’s premier news source dedicated to connecting, informing, and equipping its members. Join Andy and host Chris Vogel as they discuss the magazine's role in bridging communities within the PCA. Andy shares his journey leading up to his role at byFaith and gives us a look into the...

Paul Joiner, Director of Ministerial Wellbeing at Geneva Benefits, joins Growing Together to share insights from his first year in this role, highlighting the current landscape of pastoral well-being. Discover the intersection of Geneva Benefits and Mission to North America and how they complement each other in supporting pastors. Learn how you can pray for Paul and Geneva Benefits as they continu...

Corey Pelton, the new Rural Church Planting Director for MNA, joins Growing Together to share his experience developing rural churches in Southern Appalachia and discuss the unique needs and challenges of ministry in small-town America. He offers insights on how churches and presbyteries can effectively engage in rural church planting and provides guidance for those considering this important work...

John Chua, the pastor of Chinese Christian Church of Virginia and the Director of MNA City Lights Chinese Ministries, joins us to discuss this new ministry. He shares who City Lights is seeking to reach, what we are seeing with immigration to the US and Canada, and the opportunities we have to reach Mandarin and Cantonese speaking Chinese. Learn more at citylightsmna.org. For more information: htt...

In this episode we discuss new developments in the Rocky Mountain Presbytery with guest Duane Cory, Director of the Western Church Planting Network. For more information: https://www.westernchurchplantingnetwork.com/

A church is a legal and business entity in addition to a community. Auxilio offers critical business services to support the church's mission and ministries. Links:  https://auxilio.partners/

As Christians, we often respond to the brokenness of life as if we do not actually have hope, as if the promises of God are not really certain. Join host Chris Vogel and guest Irwyn Ince, MNA's Coordinator, as we discuss his newest book, Hope Ain't a Hustle . Order the book here .

Guests: Andrew Conrad and Frank Matthews When the unchanging truths of the Gospel confront a changing culture in our communities, it requires learning to plant new kinds of churches.  The James River Presbytery is reaching out in new ways to establish new congregations. Show notes: Frank Matthews fmatthewshola@gmail.com , (804) 929-2975 Andrew Conrad: andrew@springrunpc.org , (804) 412-8112 x1 Met...

To move the ministry leader from merely surviving to thriving, the gap between the “soul” and “role” needs to be closed that they might develop lifelong rhythms that feed the whole person. Join the conversation with Scott Armstrong to consider how cycles of rest should be a part of the pastor's life.  Show notes: Cultivating Growth - www.cultivatinggrowth.net

Pastoral fluctuations bring unique challenges, triumphs, and lessons and a transitional pastor can fill that gap and may foster healing and growth to navigate the delicate balance of change. Flourish Coaching offers is help in the context of change, and specifically, training and supplying transitional pastors. Show Notes: https://www.flourishcoaching.org  

A dichotomy too often exists in that while the Gospel is core to the believer's life, sharing this cornerstone with others is often a struggle. The ministry of Gospel First provides encouragement and training in sound Gospel sharing. Hear what Bob Orner and others with Gospel First are doing to restore the Gospel to first importance. Show notes: https://www.gospelfirst.org/

In the dynamic landscape of the modern world, where intellectual prowess and technical skills have long been the benchmarks of success, the concept of Emotional Intelligence emerges as a crucial, yet often underappreciated, component of personal and professional development. Learn more at https://pcamna.org/ministry/coaching-services .

The health of a new church is tied into the preparation of the planter. Learn about MNA's new format for planter preparation that is happening March 11-13 in Lakeland, FL.

A trained coach clarifies one’s thinking and options when one feels powerless. A coach can help achieve set goals, gain clarity, and develop the skills needed for a job. A trained coach is a special skill, and like all skills, coaching requires training. Show notes: https://pcamna.org/ministry/coaching-services/

The intersection of financial and emotional wellbeing is important. Geneva Benefits Group, the PCA's retirement and investment organization is bringing the importance of pastoral wellbeing to the forefront. Rev. Paul Joiner is the new Director of Ministerial Wellbeing who oversees and administers Geneva’s programs promoting the holistic health of pastors and ministry workers across the denomi...

While MNA has a plethora of ministries that serve the PCA, many are unaware of how these ministries may benefit their church in reaching their community. Mark Casson, the new Ministry Engagement Director with MNA will address how MNA is poised to help churches and presbyteries. Show notes: https://pcamna.org/ministries/ https://pcamna.org/staff/mark-casson/

Churches have life cycles. There are times when the decline is too great to reverse. And yet, presbyteries should always consider how to bring new life to a congregation in decline. The Lord has used Zack Groff in Calvary Presbytery to see a church destined to close to becoming a vibrant community of believers.

In this week's episode, Chris Vogel sits down with Dean Faulkner, the Director of the Center for Church Planting at RTS-Charlotte.

Hear the story of how one man who came to the US as a refugee as a child and is now helping churches welcome immigrants in the name of Christ. Show notes: https://pcamna.org/ministry/refugee-and-immigrant-ministry/