The Average Pastor Podcast

After another valiant attempt at fishing for sponsors, the average pastors workshop a sermon series called “The Average Church.” They also talk about how they view vacation time and productivity as pastors. If you want to reach us, ask a question or give us some feedback, send us an email at averagepastorpodcast@gmail.com.

Mark, Jeff and Jake discuss patriotism in light of America’s upcoming 250th birthday. Mark also shares a story of someone who recently came to Christ, and the pastors attempt to answer the question, “What is a pastor?”If you want to reach out to the podcast, ask a question or give us some feedback, send us an email at averagepastorpodcast@gmail.com.

On this episode, Mark, Jeff and Jake discuss the dangers of "networking" and the distinction between fellowship and friendship. We also finally have our official "Average Pastor Bingo" card ready to go, thanks to friend-of-the-pod Zach Rauch. You can find it at this link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/12MNHPQvPxKPcHtJfIg4P_fJIIzmTsJdj9yAdxhGyljA/edit?usp=sharingIf you'...

Drake Epkes fills in for Jake as Jeff and Mark recount their recent adventures in Zambia and East Asia. They discuss what happens when we view ministry as farming and embrace the slow but steady process of planting and harvesting. Check out the links below for some photos related to the discussion! Photo of the current cable bridge Example of the Pedestrian Bridge that will be built If you'd l...

Jeff, Mark and Jake put on their "law expert" caps, and give their opinions on what questions they think more people should be asking. Also, check out this article one of our listeners wrote on Substack! https://thequietcenter.substack.com/p/a-view-you-didnt-earn?triedRedirect=trueIf you want to reach us, send us an email at averagepastorpodcast@gmail.com

Jeff, Mark and Jake discuss how "unfiltered" pastors should be in how they speak and shepherd. Jeff brings up a concern with President Trump's recent use of religious imagery and grapples with how Christians should respond.

Drew Stevenson joins Mark, Jeff and Jake as they discuss how embracing weakness enables us to boast in Christ, and how to discern the difference between holy ambition and desire for personal gain. Got a question or comment for the average pastors? Reach out at averagepastorpodcast@gmail.com

Drew Stevenson is back on the podcast! On this episode, Mark, Jake, Jeff and Drew use a lot of fun vocabulary words like "aseity," "asceticism" and "antinomianism." They also talk about when it makes sense to cancel a ministry gathering - should we ever divert from regular rhythms to accommodate cultural events? Be sure to listen to the end for a great discussion on 1...

Long episode alert!! Mark and Jeff invite Ryan Hamby and Drake Epkes onto the fireporch to talk about Ryan's time in Iowa City and give him an Average Pastor send-off as he sets out to plant a church in Santa Barbara, California. To learn more about Veritas Church Santa Barbara, go to http://sbveritas.org Questions or comments for the podcast? Email us at mailto:averagepastorpodcast@gmail.com

Back at the fire porch again, Mark, Jeff and Jake discuss the tension of efficiency while seeking intentionality. Mark opens the floor to air out everyone's personal rants and follows with a discussion on how we can discern God's voice from our own. Also, Jake Each's new children's book, "The Unusual and Adventurous Raising of Charlie Finely" is now available to purchase...

Mark, Jeff and Jake are back in the fire porch to discuss what it looks like for the church to act as a family and how Christians should think about their relationship with the world. Also, if anyone knows Nate Bargatze, please reach out to him and tell him he should be a guest on our podcast! If you want to connect or have a topic suggestion or question for the show, drop us a line at averagepast...

The average pastors discuss the pressures that come with church growth and how pastors should steward their ministries. The business world pursues growth as the ultimate objective, but what should pastors pursue as the goal of their work?

Mark, Jeff and Jake catch up after the holidays and talk about what qualifies a person for ministry. What do they look for when hiring people, and what does it mean that God uses weak vessels to accomplish His purposes?

The average pastors welcome lead pastor of Veritas Dubuque and retired detective Jon Turbett! While sharing stories from years in the field, Jon tells how Veritas Dubuque began and what faithfulness looks like while looking ahead to a new chapter of life as their lead pastor.

To cure Marks reading slump, the average pastors share their favorite book recommendations and discuss the church's role in bringing up mature disciples.

Jeff's back from Zambia! On this episode, the average pastors exchange "coffee testimonies," talk about upcoming Advent teaching series, unpack Jeff's Zambia trip and even unveil Mark's Spotify Wrapped!

Mark, Jake and special guest Ryan Hamby discuss what it means to pass "The Faithfulness Test" and learn from voices from the past, such as William Tyndale and Alexander MacLaren. If you'd like to send a message to the crew or suggest a discussion topic for the podcast, send us an email at averagepastorpodcast@gmail.com

Jeff has gone to a better place (Zambia)! In his absence, Mark and Jake are joined by Ryan Hamby, who will soon be planting a church in Santa Barbara, California.

On this episode, the average pastors field questions from listeners on all sorts of topics. If you’d like to ask a question for a future episode, shoot us an email at averagepastorpodcast@gmail.com.

The Average Pastor Podcast is one year old! Mark surprises Jake and Jeff with a gift, then the pastors discuss the aftermath of Charlie Kirk's assassination and how to shepherd through current events.

In this episode, the average pastors give dating advice, discuss how our culture idolizes the concept of youth and process how pastors should think about discipling "fringe" people in their churches.

In this episode, Jake, Mark and Jeff talk about the importance of reaching college students and how to think about the "tone" of preaching - when to boldly confront and when to come alongside with compassion.

On this episode, we dive into the mailbag and answer some questions we've received from listeners. If you'd like to reach out with a question of your own, drop us a line at  averagepastorpodcast@gmail.com Link to the Walter Hooper interview mentioned in today's episode:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slMLk4dhh0M

Mark, Jake and Jeff talk about how believers should prioritize holiness in a world that draws us toward compromising our beliefs. Here's a link to the Gospel Coalition article mentioned: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/faithfulness-neutrality-french-gaines/ Got a comment or question for us? Shoot us an email at averagepastorpodcast@gmail.com

Mark, Jeff and Jake are back with Drew Stevenson at a friends' lakeside cabin, discussing the legacy of John MacArthur, how Christians should think about patriotism and giving sneak peeks at the books they're working on.