The Pastor's Coach

Today, Pastor Ron answers the following listener question:  I feel like I should be doing more personal reading or devotional reading, but I can’t find the energy or desire. I have a four church district and ministry feels like hard work these days. It wears me down, so when I have opportunity, I want to escape from things connected to it. How do you handle this tension between ministry that you g...

Today, Pastor Ron talks about the value of having a bucket list and how having one helps us to reflect on our values and goals, and helps us identify important milestones and experiences that we want to have in our lifetime (and beyond).

Today, Pastor Ron talks about staying connected to God through the spiritual disciplines.

Today, Pastor Ron shares 10 leadership axioms that are critically important for successful leadership.

Today, Pastor Ron shares the results of a survey sent to pastors asking them to share a mistake they have made in ministry, in the hope it will prevent others from repeating it.

Today, Pastor Ron shares his favorite books on managing personal finances; including investments, how money works, and preparing for retirement. Several are must reads for pastors early in their ministry and also for those nearing retirement .

Today, Pastor Ron answers the following listener question, “What books have you read so far this year, 2023? and Why?"

Today, Pastor Ron talks about…the importance of staying grounded as pastor and the value of an inner circle to accomplish this.

Today, Pastor Ron talks about survey citing the top four regrets pastors have as they look back on their ministry, and how to avoid them.

Today, Pastor Ron talks the need to install “rumble strips,” boundaries, that will keep us alert and on the road of ministry.

Today, Pastor Ron talks about pastoral health and the signs of a healthy pastor, and four behaviors pastors adopt to help them key their eyes on the road.

Today, Pastor Ron talks about balancing ministry with policies, procedures, and practices intended to support ministry, and how to determine which to use when.

Today, Pastor Ron talks about how to finish well, and uses biblical examples of leaders who finish running the race well. Will you finish the race by running, walking, limping, being disqualified?

Today, Pastor Ron talks about the big four temptations that lead to church leaders to mismanage their lives, homes and ministries, and how to avoid them.

Today, Pastor Ron talks about…the power of motivation in ministry, and things that will help us stay motivated in ministry, especially when we feel tired or discouraged, and suggests things that will replenish and motivate leaders through difficult times. 

Today, Pastor Ron talks about ten leadership books that have had lasting impact on his life, and why. Also, Pastor Ron would love to know your top books. Please send your list to thepastorscoach@hotmail.com

This week’s episode is part 2 of a two week series where Pastor Ron talks about 10 leadership principles he has learned the hard way. Principles like "Preparation is Key," "Focus on your Strengths," and "Thinking Gray". Feel free to reach out to Pastor Ron at  ⁠thepastorscoach@hotmail.com⁠  .

This week’s episode is part 1 of a two week series where Pastor Ron talks about 10 leadership principles he has learned the hard way. Principles like "Say it now," "Less is more," and "Practice a non-anxious presence". Feel free to reach out to Pastor Ron at thepastorscoach@hotmail.com  .

Today, Pastor Ron talks about the reality of pastoral burnout, and outlines three clear causes and how to avoid them.

Today, Pastor Ron talks about the challenge on getting people off the pew and into the game, and share four things that can help you get your church members inspired to do ministry. 

Today, Pastor Ron talks about the mission over method, and how churches must learn to move away from mission being a servant of method. Methods matter, but mission is king.

Today, Pastor Ron talks about how to finish well, how to make it to the finish line—because many don’t. They fall to one (or more) of the big three temptations: Passion, Possessions, Position (or in today's language; Sex, Salary, and Status),  and he also shares what the antidote is.

Today, Pastor Ron talks about reasons for conflict and strategies to address conflict before it boils over. Also understanding the levels of conflict is critical to addressing it. The conflict levels include: Level 1, Disagreements Level 2, The Contest. This now escalates to where there has to be a winners and a loser. Level 3, Fight or flight.  Level 4, they are out to destroy.

Today, Pastor Ron talks about the the stages of a pastor's tenure in church. Those stages are often separated by number of years served: Honeymoon: 0-1 year, Crisis: 1-3 years, Realignment: 3-5 years, Growth: 5-10 years, Mystery: 10 and beyond. Where do you find yourself today? And what can you do to prepare for the next stage?

Today, Pastor Ron talks about the importance of thinking and reflecting of season of ministry (and life) you find yourself in, and how to assess how to best move forward as you journey from one season to the next.