This Poor Pastor's Podcast

You can't help everyone, even some who say they want help. It's a sad truth, but if you understand how to spot the ones who truly want help, you can focus your efforts on them. Some people want to argue for their limitations, and guess what? They get to keep them. Check out my free PDF resource "How to Identify Signs of a Trauma and Disability Mindset" www.markfostercoaching.com/...

Do Mark 10 and Matthew 23 teach that Jesus was opposed to leadership in the body of Christ? Is "servant leadership" intended to mean what it looks like? Do leaders have actual authority or just a quasi-authority that looks more like permission begging and foot washing? This episode attempts to take a closer look at these questions. Check out Mark's website at www.markfostercoaching.c...

Recently I had a conversation with a young man who wanted to know how he could get better at providing solutions. He felt that he was already very good at finding problems. I told him that finding problems isn't a skill. Anyone can do that. The skill comes in finding solutions, and that takes practice and courage. I thought you might enjoy hearing a bit more about that in today's episode....

The motives behind our actions are important. It is possible to do the right things, with the wrong motives, and actually cause harm, to ourselves, and maybe others. In today's episode, Mark talks about how asking the question "Why?" is a great way to avoid that mistake. To get the resources mentioned in this podcast, go to www.markfostercoaching.com/resources

Fear of the Worst Case Scenario (WCS) is a roadblock for a lot of people when trying to make a decision. We can get stuck trying to figure out all that can go wrong when we try to do something new. This mindset is part of fear, and it is crippling. In this episode, I challenge you to use an exercise I use to help me overcome that fear and take decisive action anyway. For more resources or to sched...

What would happen if you changed the way you think, or better yet, changed the kinds of things you thought about? Do you even know where your thoughts come from? In this new episode of a new season, we are launching something audacious. A new episode every day of the week except Sunday. I hope you'll listen and share these episodes with others! Want to read an article I wrote on changing your...

Hey everyone, it's been a minute. I am really happy to share this episode with you. This is an interview I did with a new friend of mine, named Lauren Ligon. She is a mom, Doula, military spouse, and Christian, who has experienced hope, healing, and help through the church, and Christ. In this interview, she shares her story of struggling with alcohol and postpartum depression. It will strengt...

In this episode, I want to push back against what I believe to be the bad and harmful theological teaching that says God has to bruise those He uses. It's a coffee table conversation. I hope you find it helpful!

In this episode, which is admittedly more for pastors and teachers, I want to share with you a recent conversation I had regarding preaching styles. I was asked by a young intern why I don't preach exegetically. I thought my response was worth sharing with you as well. While aimed at pastors and teachers, I believe this will be helpful for those who sit in church and listen to a sermon each we...

This is the final episode in this series, and I am really thankful for those who have reached out and spoken with me via text and email. It is my prayer that this final episode will help you to finally start working toward the path of growth and health that God wants for you.

Have you ever heard of Goodhart's Law? If not, you have fallen prey to it and seen it at work in churches and organizations throughout your life. Please take a listen to today's episode to find out why being aware of it can actually help you reconstruct your Christian walk in a healthy, genuine way.

One of the saddest things that can happen when someone deconstructs is that they remove themselves from a corporate expression of the body. That is to say, they live as if Christianity is not to be understood within the context of the body. But, within a good local body, you will find both community and religious rituals, which help us to stay grounded in our past and present identity and focused...

Here is the episode in short. Take a breath. Don't worry about what comes next. Don't start building a whole new set of doctrines and beliefs. Just take some time to reflect. You were uniquely created to become like the thing you worship and reflect upon.

You are an important piece of the puzzle. God has uniquely gifted you for service, and when you and I function within our gifting, the power, presence, and person of Jesus Christ are manifested most clearly to the world around us. It's time to find your place!

This week starts a discussion on forgiveness. It's vital. It's also fraught with danger and landmines. I pray you listen, and then consider. The Lord bless you and guide you as you seek to forgive.

In today's episode, we are going to continue our discussion on healing and reconstructing our faith. Every building needs a good foundation, and there is nothing better for a life of faith than being built on a soul, heart, and mind that have been healed by the Lord Jesus Christ. What does healing look like? Why do we resist healing? Why is it so hard to trust? This episode does not address th...

"Do you want to be made whole?" That is a question Jesus asked of a man who was broken. It seems an odd question, but the truth is that often broken people accept their brokenness as a part of their very identity. Then, when someone tries to help, it feels like they are losing a part of themselves. So, let me ask you. Do you want to be made whole? Many of my friends have gone through tra...

It's time to start packing on the pounds ladies and gents!

Trust me...just listen. Pastor, I am here to help.

Did you listen to last week's episode, and now you're ready, but still wonder exactly how to go about it? Do you feel guilty leading your church because some person or group told you that you are being a dictator? In this episode, I follow up on last week's discussion by giving some steps to take that make the choice much more clear. It won't necessarily make it easier, but you won...

This is a really important conversation, and I hope you will listen carefully. Maybe listen to it twice! At the conclusion of the episode, I introduced the new coaching business I have started, and offer a complimentary 1 hour conversation to those who are interested! You can find the info at www.thispoorpastor.com

A mom recently told me that her problem with our youth activities was that we didn't have enough "God" in them. She said games are fine, but she wished we would preach to the kids. I am not against preaching to kids. I do it every week. But my answer to her suggestion became the title of this episode. I hope you take a listen!

Have you ever heard someone say, "Yes, God is a loving God, but He is also holy, and his love can't override his holiness?" Doesn't that sound nice? I get sad when I hear it. This teaching springs from a misunderstanding of the attributes of God, and a misrepresentation of holiness. Take a listen, and let me know what you think!

Solomon said, that the fear of man brings a snare. Snares immobilize. That's what fear does, it immobilizes. In this episode, I get transparent with you about the impact that fear has had on my life, and a recent challenge I created to help address it. I hope you find it helpful in managing your fears. I also mentioned a little ebook I wrote about the process. You can find it at the link below...

When you first start looking and listening for the presence and voice of God, it can seem that you see it everywhere. Then often, it seems to go silent, and God seems to disappear, more than before. This can lead to such despair that many will give up seeking Him altogether, and come to believe something untrue: God doesn't speak to them, or worse, He only talks to others because He loves them...