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

It many times is the smallest of gestures that makes the biggest difference! Pastors have the opportunity everyday to make a difference in the lives of families in their church or community. Jeff shares some memories of life changing moments when a pastor made a difference and influenced his life.  Jeff's challenge to us today is "Whose life will we impact for Jesus?" Support the sh...

Leadership. What good is it in the church?! To build buildings? Draw crowds? Raise money? Save souls? Develop Leaders? I suppose those are all parts of a good thing. But I believe leadership vision creates. Then, the question is... What does it create? It's Tuesday and I talk about leadership and leaders and leadership development on Tuesdays - and today I want to talk with you about the kind...

Jeff saw a graphic over the weekend that reminded him of prayer, and got him thinking about how he first started out in prayer at 10 years old. Then he thought about being 18, and then 42, etc.  Prayer. The purpose and power of the pastor. But when we are professional pastors sometimes prayer becomes rote and robotic. Furtick mentioned bent knees and got Jeff thinking... in a great direction. Enjo...

Jeff sits down with David Fitch, PhD from Northern Seminary in Chicago. David is a professor of Theology, Culture, and Ethics at the Seminary. They talk about the questions you've had for several years now, like 1) How do I interact with people who are in same-sex relationships? 2) How can I be true to Scripture and love people well? and 3) How should I think and lead in light of the massive...

Jeff challenges pastors who may have given up home on their health and fitness every improving. Jeff is the poster pastor for someone who was able to turn around his health and fitness after weighing in at the highest weight of his life at both age 56 and 59. His message is "Never give up!"  Keep hope alive that your health and fitness can absolutely improve. Jeff shares more of his stor...

Dr. David Fitch is a professor of Theology, Culture, and Sexual Ethics at Northern Seminary in Chicago IL. Jeff talks with Fitch about same sex marriage, sexual attraction and desire, and our sexualized society that presents both women and men as objects of lust and desire and not as people created in the image and beauty of God. How can pastors lead, preach, and counsel in such a culture? What do...

Either you are improving your marriage or it is at best stagnant. Are you and your spouse at the helm, steering the ship of matrimony in a positive and growing direction, or are you adrift in the marriage sea? Jeff challenges you to take charge of the growth and development of your relationship. If you think you don't need this episode because you're "all good", you absolutely...

Who are we leading people to? Or to whom are we leading them? Do we want them to become good church goers, ethical and gracious people, proper church attenders, or followers of Jesus? Jeff talks about discipleship. Support the show For more great content and conversations for pastors, check out the over 400 episodes of the 200churches Podcast !

When you're bored, lacking purpose or mission - that's a great time for us to engage in and indulge in our vices. Without intentionality and purpose, we can move toward over eating, over drinking, shopping, drugs, alcohol, porn use, illicit relationships, etc.  Research shows that being on mission with a clear life purpose keeps us away from the edges and fringes of life - and helps us t...

Ever wonder what it would take to get your ministry organized and on track in your church? To get your ministry leaders and staff on the same page? To have a team that does the work of the ministry, and you equip and train them? Rob Storey shares how to accomplish those things and more in this episode! Rob Storey was a 20 year Helicopter pilot in the U.S. Air Force, then a lead pastor in Colorado,...

If sitting really is the new smoking, then what is the cost of sitting? Jeff shares some data on what the cost is from sitting all day in a sedentary lifestyle. Too many pastors live sedentary lives. That's bad (as me and my kids say). Jeff shares the info, then some suggestions on how to make things better for YOU. Support the show For more great content and conversations for pastors, check...

Did you know that weekly, rote, processes and programs do not bond believers? They lull them into ruts, but they do not deepen relationships. Unique, shared experiences bond believers together. That's the perspective Jeff talks about today! Enjoy. Support the show For more great content and conversations for pastors, check out the over 400 episodes of the 200churches Podcast !

How do you create rules for technology in your home? What? You don't?! You just let your kids do whatever they want with their cellphones, laptops, and tablets? You're kidding right? Of course you are...  On Episode 65 Jeff talks about how to create a "Rule of Technology" in your home. Tech is one of the most dangerous realities in most of our homes. The free flow of the world&...

Healthy pastors are healthy because they take action when it is needed - as soon as it is needed. They are humble and are not afraid to admit a fault or sin. They know they can't be a lone ranger and need others to help them in both their life and their ministry. Pastors who take the necessary action at the right time to get help, are often the healthiest pastors. When we are struggling and f...

Many pastors view porn. It is a tragic reality. It is a weapon Satan uses to hobble the people of God and the servants of God. Do you view porn? I'm not saying you're addicted or anything - I'm just asking if you view it? Regularly? Real regularly? Frequently or infrequently? Too much? Just enough? Maybe a little? Etc. Etc. You see my point. Porn rots our souls. Of course, our thres...

Mozart Dixon is the Directer of Church Planting and Multiplication for the Metropolitan District of the Christian and Missionary Alliance. This district covers the NYC area, New Jersey, and Metro Philadelphia.  Moe led a church plant in Nebraska that had 1,000 in attendance after the first three years. Now he is in the urban area of New York and New Jersey and experiencing something altogether dif...

Jeff has a chill sit down talk with pastors today about their health, and about what exactly the 6 Microhabits of Health are! How are you doing with your health and fitness pastor? Are there areas that need attention? The time is not moving any more slowly - it seems like everything in life is moving at breakneck speed, and this episode is a friendly reminder to think about the important things of...

Jeff speaks with New Testament scholar and theologian NT Wright and asks the question: "Based on your understanding and study of Paul, what would the Apostle Paul have to say to young pastors who are anxious to get an audience and develop a platform on social media?" His answer is revealing and encouraging! Enjoy! Support the show For more great content and conversations for pastors, che...

Ministry couples are not immune to marriage issues! There are regular revelations about divorce and separation among ministry couples. As with any married couple, this is sad. So how about if we ask each other right now - "How are you doing in your marriage?" In Episode 60 Jeff blurts out a bunch of possible marriage problem scenarios - and then offers some strategies, serious ones, abou...

It's like a broken record when episode after episode I and our guests tell pastors that they need to find a safe person that they can talk with, confess to, and grow with. But it's true! We do not grow in isolation. Have you ever seen a great garden with just ONE plant?! Of course not! Ridiculous! Jeff quotes The Power of Mentoring by Martin Sanders and again challenges you to take your...

There's something about YOU that you wish you could share with someone. It's a secret. The longer it remains hidden the bigger it grows in your mind, your heart, and the more guilt you feel. Unless, of course, you have a safe place to confess, to share your junk, and to receive some healing. Do you have a safe place Pastor? Do you have that friend you can confide in, confess to, and ask...

On this weekend's Weekend Edition I've invited not only Dan Reiland but also my longtime podcast partner, Jonny Craig! So it's a Double-Header today! Dan talks to us about his new devotional book for pastors and church leaders titled: Leadership Alone Isn't Enough - 40 Devotions to Strengthen Your Soul . He also tells us why this is a very unique and one-of-a-kind devotional bo...

Sometimes life doesn't always go as planned. I've always told my kids, "when you fail, get up, and try, try again!" I had to practice exactly what I've preached to them over the years. I am praying that my story will encourage you to not lose hope, to not give up. If you've failed in an area of your life or ministry - get up! Straighten your clothes and fix your hair...

What is your mission as a church, and, are you moving in the direction of your mission? Churches left to themselves will drift toward that inevitable inward focus. They will ask "what is good for us, for OUR church?" They will forget about the lost in their community and around the world. So what is your church's mission Pastor? And are you leading them in a hot pursuit of it? Jeff...

On Wednesdays Jeff coaches pastors on the topic of family. Today he redirects us toward thinking about our kids. Sometimes the roll of ministry gets our focus diverted from our family just a tiny, teeny bit - and if that's you today, Jeff communicates an idea that maybe, just maybe your kids might need a little bit more of your attention. Even though his kids are married adults, he said he st...