Coaching For Pastors - Daily Coaching, Encouragement, and Support for Pastors

 After 20 months (since April 2023), I’m back. At least for today. No commitments yet, but I am taking today to talk with you about what we’re called to. I get to that at about the 6 or 7-minute mark.  Where have I been? I’ve been right here the whole time, not recording. My opulent and luxurious podcast studio has sat quietly by while I have committed myself other things – like grandkids and mini...

My friend, with society and culture speeding up at an exponential rate, it's becoming obvious that this isn't just a "phase" that will pass. We are on a trajectory that will leave us increasingly over-scheduled, inundated, preoccupied, and constantly tending to the tyranny of the urgent. In this episode I ask what YOU are doing to get off the merry-go-round of culture. How can...

You already know Pastor,  the speed and dynamics of life and ministry are increasing exponentially these days. Somehow we have to turn the firehose into a kitchen faucet, so that we can both survive and make an impact. Some thoughts after two weeks off - and after turning... 60! Support the show For more great content and conversations for pastors, check out the over 400 episodes of the 200churche...

Our role, per Ephesians 4, as pastors is to equip our people to do the work of the ministry - and I contend that somethings the best way we can equip them, is to recognize that they are already gifted by the Holy Spirit, and we just need to get out of their way! Support the show For more great content and conversations for pastors, check out the over 400 episodes of the 200churches Podcast !

Paul Schlieker takes seriously Jesus' command to make disciples of all people.  Paul is going to challenge your thinking about how you challenge YOUR OWN church family to be disciple makers! Paul is a financial planner who takes Jesus with him everywhere. He and his wife Peggy are very active serving in various roles and if you CLICK HERE they have some free gifts for you - that you can use i...

Paul's life was changed by the message of the cross, and he has become a servant of God, with a calling he is committed to fulfilling. Paul is a financial planner/manager who serves people by helping them prepare for their future. He's also a disciple of Jesus who makes more disciples of Jesus. Soon he will travel to Chicago to consult with leaders of a national ministry on how they can...

Tonight I asked ChatGPT to "Write a blog post about how pastors can use ChatGPT in sermon preparation." A portion of this episode will be me, using what ChatGPT wrote - in my own voice. You decide if it was any good. Then I give you my hot take on us pastors using writing AI's in our ministries. We can't stick our heads in the sand - nor can we move forward without wisdom... Su...

Andy Stanley once said, we need to marry our mission but date our methods. So true! So that begs the question that I unpack in this short episode: Are your ministry methods getting in the way of your church accomplishing its mission?? Enjoy - but please also give this some thought this weekend... Support the show For more great content and conversations for pastors, check out the over 400 episodes...

Pastor, the Enemy would love to sideline both you and your church. He'll attack your marriage, your parenting, your family, your hobbies, your addictions, anything! Anything to keep you off the court and out of the game. Our people are languishing for lack of encouragement, inspiration, and affirmation. We could so easily build them up through a simple gift God has given us. A gift to use to...

Here is a simple pastoral hack to help you alleviate stress and anxiety from your ministry day. God is BIG and he can handle and shoulder all of our cares and anxieties.  Giving him your "trust list" is an easy way to join in community with others. Support the show For more great content and conversations for pastors, check out the over 400 episodes of the 200churches Podcast !

The recent CDC Report on Teen Mental Health is out and it is not good.  Pastor, I believe it is absolutely critical that as lead pastors, whether we are in our 20's or 60's - we must develop rapport and relationship with the kids in our churches. They need to have a connection to us. We must influence them. When the tough times come, we need to be able to speak into their lives. When the...

(This is the first 20 minutes of a recent 60 minute conversation I had with Jeannine Brown for my 200churches Podcast. It has not been released yet, so this is a sneak preview!) Dr. Jeannine Brown from Bethel Seminary joins me to talk about her work on the First Peter volume in the New International Commentary on the New Testament series. We discuss the content and context of 1 Peter. A fascinatin...

This week for me has been full, varied, exciting, and filled with a moderate amount of high drama. Today, on Friday, I share two lessons I learn from this week - and truly wonder at the opportunities that next week will bring! Support the show For more great content and conversations for pastors, check out the over 400 episodes of the 200churches Podcast !

Too often we just try to get by with what we have in ministry, and that includes the volunteers and staff we have, when in reality it just might be that we need more! And, the MORE we add to our human capital in our church, the better the Body of Christ will be served and equipped. Then, one wonderful cycle starts to turn and people are added to the church, souls are saved, families are healed, an...

Okay, maybe it's not my biggest, but this is certainly one of my worst leadership failures in pastoral ministry! I led a team to the cliff, to stand in awe of the view, but then I essentially pushed them off. :-( The story eventually takes a good turn, in that I want to learn and grow - and I haven't given up, but have gotten much better. I hope you learn something from this all too true...

Today Jeff gives you Part 2, where he shares some assumptions he has about preaching, and then some ideas for you to implement that will help you connect with your people and avoid those boring sermons! Enjoy! Support the show For more great content and conversations for pastors, check out the over 400 episodes of the 200churches Podcast !

We'll all hit those preaching slumps. This is not an episode about how to get out of a slump. It might help, but I've found the only way out of a slump is time, and prayer, and a little diligence. But this IS an episode about how to create an interesting sermon or message. The things on this episode are true! Move heaven and earth to not bore your people with God or his Word. This is Par...

I've been a part of A LOT of leadership team meetings over the last 40+ years. The good, the bad, and of course - the UGLY.  I was thinking the other day about what the essential elements of an effective leadership team meeting are, and I've come up with three. Likely, you are planning for your next meeting even this week - and I hope that this episode gets you thinking in some helpful d...

Ray Brandon is a pastor who planted his church almost 20 years ago, and has like many of you expanded his ministry reach and involvement. I've known Ray for more than 30 years and am not surprised at the level of pastoral and ministry excellence and integrity he has achieved. Enjoy this episode - i hope you are inspired and encouraged as much as I was! Join thousands of others in prayer for t...

This week's earthquake in Turkey and Syria have been catastrophic and horrific. How can we even fathom the horror? It causes me to consider the Great Commission and the need for the Gospel around the world, and right next door... Support the show For more great content and conversations for pastors, check out the over 400 episodes of the 200churches Podcast !

Jesus said it over and over - in judgment - condemning the religious leaders: "You Hypocrites!" When I was a young pastor, and would read Matthew 23, I would think, "man, I'm so glad I'm not one of those religious leaders! So glad I'm not a hypocrite!" The older I get, the more I understand them. The less judgmental I feel toward them. I still don't ever wan...

Pastor, in this episode I share my overwhelm in life right now. I don't whine or complain, or prate on and on about how "busy" I am - but I try to be honest for long enough to share with you what my hope is through it all.  God gives us opportunities to serve, busy or not. Overcommitted or not. And we get to do it, with people. And we never do it yesterday, or tomorrow, or next week...

Here are two more lessons I learned when I contemplated my experience giving blood. If you've never given blood, call the Red Cross, the Blood Bank, LifeServe Blood Center, or your local hospital to get information on where you can go to give blood. It's a beautiful thing. I enjoyed recording this episode just for you pastor! Enjoy. Support the show For more great content and conversatio...

I gave blood! I hate doing it, but I love having done it. I know it's a good thing to do, so that's why I do it. To help others. I thought of several ministry lessons I learned from giving blood - and I share them with you today and tomorrow, on shorty episodes that I had a lot of fun recording! Enjoy - and... GIVE BLOOD! Support the show For more great content and conversations for past...

In this episode, Jeff shares his final four recommendations for young pastors to follow when leading people in their church who are 2-4 times older than them. Loving your people, making connections, and building relational bridges - these are all things that help us minister to our people! Enjoy! Support the show For more great content and conversations for pastors, check out the over 400 episodes...