200churches Podcast: Ministry Encouragement for Pastors of Small Churches

Jonny is joined by his wife, Kayla, to talk about a special event that YOU are invited to!

Pastor Vinny shares from his heart what it's like to have a family member involved in addiction. Too many families know the pain and suffering associated with mental health and addiction issues and a pastor's family is no exception.

Sarah Bouma works with Tony Morgan and his Unstuck Group, (www.theunstuckgroup.com) coaching churches in the areas of staffing and structure. She was recently at Jeff's church and was so gracious to stick around and record a podcast episode with Jeff! Jonny and Jeff are together for the IN and OUT of this episode, and promo a great small church conference opportunity coming up this October!

Episode 284 is the 2nd half of a conversation Jeff had with Dave Jacobs, from www.smallchurchpastor.com, where they answer questions from Dave's Small Church Pastor Facebook group. Jonny joins Jeff on the front and back of this episode!

Dave Jacobs from www.smallchurchpastor.com and the Small Church Pastor Facebook Group gathered group members' questions and then he and Jeff each take a whack at them, giving them their best shot! If you need coaching as a pastor, that's what Dave does for a living! You can easily find him at www.smallchurchpastor.com or email him at Dave@smallchurchpastor.com.

Derek Vreeland is the Discipleship Pastor at Word of Life Church in St. Joseph MO. His pastor, Brian Zahnd, was our guest on episode 202, and now Derek joins us a mere 80 weeks later! Practical wisdom and real life experience flow out of Derek! You'll enjoy this episode!

Brandon Patterson is a new, young pastor. He heard Jeff & Jonny on Carey Nieuwhof's Leadership Podcast, episode 99 - and sent us a message. As he often does, Jeff replied and connected with him, and today he is on the episode with encouragement to spare! Brandon's heart for God and people is very rare in ministry, especially at age 24. What is even more rare is that he is pastor to a...

PIcking up where Jeff left off last week, Jonny shares some things that are on his mind like family, special needs ministry, church decline, and worship services. He also shares a book he recently read and encourages pastors to keep churches connected over the summer.

Jeff records a solo episode and creates the first "What's On My Mind" episode. He and Jonny have been wanting to create some solo episodes just to speak personally to small church pastors, and this is the first one. Jeff, of course, challenges Jonny to counter with his own "What's On My Mind" episode to follow... soon. :-) Jeff encourages the listeners to check out th...

Jonny is joined by Northwestern College professor (and friend) Dan Den Boer to talk about formation and the role of the church in developing Christ followers. The conversation swerves into topics like literalism, historical criticism, and Bibliolatry and is sure to get your mental gears turning.

Jonny is joined by John Ottley--small church pastor turned hospital chaplain to talk about what he has learned over his 30-year ministry career and what he is learning as he begins a new career as a chaplain.

On today’s episode we are joined by Jason Wilson, from Citylight Church in Council Bluffs IA and Eric Carpenter from Christ Community Church in Omaha Nebraska as they share their plans to co plant another CityLight Church in Kansas City Missouri. This is a good one, let’s get started.

Dr. Joel Wiggins, President of Crown College in the Twin Cities of Minnesota talks with transparency and candor about his life as a small church pastor, and the challenge of educating pastors for tomorrow. You can find his college at www.crown.edu!

When Derek Levendusky started his week on Sunday morning, he had no idea he would be our guest from episode 274. Toiling away in a new church in Western New York, Derek is everything that is good about small church ministry. Jeff walked into his early service on Sunday 30 minutes late. Right after the service he talked with Derek at the front of the church. In ten minutes he sealed the deal for hi...

Greg Curtis, Director of Assimilation at Eastside Christian Church in Anaheim CA joins Jeff to talk about how small churches should assimilate first time attenders. This is SO, SO practical. You will love it! Find Greg at www.gregcurtis-assimilation.com.

Karl "the Shark" Vaters from NewSmallChurch.com joins us again after a 79-week span since his last appearance. We can't believe it's been that long - but he's back to talk about his new book - Small Church Essentials. Great encouragement for you!

Jeff and Jonny both talk with Reggie McNeal, author of The Present Future and Kingdom Collaborators - Eight Signature Practices of Leaders Who Turn the World Upside Down. This is part 2 from Episode 268. You will be challenged to think about your church ministry in a fresh and innovative way. This was a fun one!!

Stephen Witmer and David Pinckney are the founders of www. SmallTownSummits.com! They love to talk about pastoral ministry in small places, and rural places. They are bringing pastors together for encouragement and training - and invite you to join them!

Church security expert, Bob Johnson, from Christ's Church of the Valley https://www.ccv.church/ in Peoria, AZ joins the guys to talk about how a small church can have an effective security ministry. Great information here! This will give you a clear starting point to develop a serious ministry to care for the safety of your church family. This is a serious episode, until the outtakes... :-)

This is a truncated conversation with Reggie McNeal, the entire conversation is a couple episodes in the future, but in this one we intro Reggie's book - Kingdom Collaborators, and then talk about Kingdom Ministry. It will be thought provoking for you! And, check out Reggie's newest book on Kingdom Collaborators! https://www.amazon.com/Kingdom-Collaborators-Signature-Practices-Leaders/dp...

Jonny is joined by Bep Reeves to talk with Pat Cimo, and Jenni & Paul Von Tobel from Willow Creek Church about their Special Friends ministry. Special Friends ministers to folks with special needs and disabilities within the Willow Creek body and Pat, Jenni, and Paul bring helpful and practical insight for how you can minister to individuals with special needs in your own context.

Dave Miller from Slingshot Group and Leadership Pathway joins us to talk about developing the next generation of church leadership and staffing issues facing all sized churches.

The Venerable Helen Phillips, Archdeacon of Frankston and Parish Vicar in the Anglican Church, from Victoria, Australia joins us for a lively and interesting conversation about small church ministry! You will love it!

Dr. Cherith Nordling, Assoc. Professor of Theology at Northern Seminary in Chicago is on again with Jeff and Jonny, to blow your mind and regale you with spiritual stories. Get ready, it's gonna be good!

Jeff talks with Marc Shefelton, pastor of Buffalo Prairie Church in Illinois, about his first three years in ministry. This is a classic small church pastor episode! Jonny joins Jeff for commentary and analysis with his wit and wisdom!