Ministry Without Hating It

Ministry leaders will experience levels of pain, grief and relational struggle that most others will not–it just comes with the territory. What if instead of powering through, withdrawing from or finding ways to cope, we just took time to lament it instead? In this Soul Check episode, our friend BrianJames McMahon returns to unpack how powerful lament can be in our ministry journeys.

Resources Highlighted in this Interview: 

• Chur...

Did that get your attention? No, this episode isn’t an anti-easter manifesto. It’s a roundtable discussion on the highs and lows, pros and cons and practical approaches to the ministry calendar–specifically the big holidays and ministry events. Let’s talk about the pain points that come along with these, and how we can experience fruitfulness in events without hating it.

Resources Highlighted in this Interview: 

• Gloo Text Message...

Have you ever said, “I am going to make this work, or die trying”? According to Pastors Sal & Krystal Bono, that’s probably the worst thing you can say within ministry. In this episode, the Bonos get candid about the pain from messy transitions, the death of a ministry dream and even being houseless for a season. But through all of these humbling experiences, Sal & Krystal also share the hope they have found to keep going b...

If God chooses the foolish things to shame the wise, then what does that say about me? According to Pastor Jordan Wall, it’s actually pretty simple. In this episode Jordan shares how his story formed a simple approach to his ministry, regardless of the assignment, and how that shifts the fluctuations of ministry from targets to dashboards. Simple. 

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• Connect further with Jordan at revitaliz...

Statistically, the number of ministry leaders struggling with their identity, calling and confidence in ministry is growing, and they are feeling more and more isolated. In this episode, Pastor and Executive Director Johnny McCallister unpacks how ministry leaders need each other more than ever before. Johnny shares keys for resiliency learned from over 30 years of ministry, tools for ministering to others, and what it looks like t...

How does knowing who you’ve been created to be as a leader directly impact your effectiveness in discipling others? Pastor and denominational leader, Beth Hackbarth, sits down for a conversation with us to share how her own journey of self-discovery opened up a new level for her in leading others. In this episode, we also talk about what the long game of developing people and leaders in our care looks like, and the impacts of being...

Is it your “ministry”, or your “mission assignment”? Distinguishing this small, yet profound detail has made all the difference for our guest, Pastor Peter Henderson. In this episode, Peter shares how being a survivor of the Columbine thrust him into Pastoral Ministry as a teen–leading him to become a Senior Pastor in his 20’s, the wisdom gained from being a young leader in a healthy transition, and how his passion for being on mis...

We’re back! And for our first episode of Season Four we’re visited by Pastor and Non-Profit Leader, Jared Ballenger. In this conversation Jared shares why the word “ministry” has always been spelled “w-o-r-k” (and how that’s not a negative thing), finding freedom on the other side of burnout and the incredible work of rescuing children from human trafficking that he gets to be a part of with Destiny Rescue. It’s a chill interview, ...

At its core, experiencing pain simply means that something is off. And oftentimes, we think pain is bad. And sometimes it is. And sometimes it can be really useful. In our Season 3 Finale, therapist and pastor, BrianJames McMahon, unpacks for us how being honest and lamenting his own pain changed everything for him–including stepping out of vocational ministry. It’s possible to not fear pain, wrestle with lament, and bravely face t...

As ministry leaders, there are things about ministry that we hate, and that’s ok. It only took us 37 episodes to get to that, but here we are for a conversation with pastor, professor, fellow podcaster and friend, Tim Lee. In this episode Tim gets reflective on his own recent journey of deconstructing what ministry is vs. what he’s always known, the truth that we are still not healthy after all that happened in 2020, and why apathy...

As leaders, we must face the reality that we will all journey with sexual sin and purity, whether personally, and/or with others. In this episode, Robby Booth breaks down how this journey isn’t just about sex, but rather about wounded-ness in hearts. Robby also gives practical tools to combat treating our sexuality like soup, and living fully in the transformation God gives. Don’t give up your birthright! 

It’s time for a ...

How do you keep the “why” of ministry at the forefront of your ministry? Sometimes it takes a healthy dose of perspective of another leader’s reality. This episode with NextGen Leaders, Zach & Caitlin Thomas, may be one of those moments. In this interview they share how they’ve been able to see fruit in their inner city student ministries, the gospel burden every ministry leader should carry, and the importance of stepping back...

How does a failed hunting trip transform the way you minister to others? In this episode our guest, Pastor Marty Schminkey, pulls no punches in sharing how God has used moments like these to change the trajectory of his heart, and ultimately the way he leads others. With authenticity, Marty unpacks how the way he serves, loves and bleeds with others is directly tied to the level of which he practices presence with his Rabbi. We’re ...

Do you ever feel unqualified, or under-equipped as a leader? Well good news, you're not alone! In this episode Pastor and Church Planter, Nina Sims, shares with us how her motto of "Just Show Up" is a daily exercise in courage and confidence in the belief that God placing you in leadership was not an accident. And as you show up, God will too.

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• Connect further with...

It’s time for a Soul Check, an open discussion with ministry leaders and mental health specialists focused on reinforcing the most important part of you–your soul! In this episode we get Part 2 of our discussion with our friend, Robby Booth, breaking down the practicalities of Healing and Strengthening the Ministry Leader’s soul through the Lord’s Prayer.

Resources Highlighted in this Interview: 

• The Dream Center Los An...

Today we unbox a new episode type we’re adding to the MWH mix, Soul Check. These episodes will be an open discussion with ministry leaders and mental health specialists focused on reinforcing the most important part of you–your soul! In this episode we get Part 1 of our discussion with our friend, Robby Booth, breaking down the practicalities of Healing and Strengthening the Ministry Leader’s soul through the Lord’s Prayer. Part 2 ...

Jesus cares more about who I am, than what I do. Pastor and Foursquare Leader, Molly DuQue, shares with us that realizing this truth starts with being honest with yourself. In this episode, Molly unpacks how growing in her self-awareness has shifted ministry to simply “living out the work that Jesus is doing in me,” and how that has made all the difference in her journey. So sit back and join us as DJ Mega-Molly spins for us tracks...

When you define ministry, is the first thing you think of, “your life”? It is for this episode’s guest, Pastor and Missions Worker, Tim Wimberly. But Tim’s response doesn’t come from an overly spiritual place, but rather from witnessing first hand God’s faithfulness through 38+ years of a life given to ministry. Tim unpacks how he’s been able to keep going, how he uniquely translates metrics for success, and why he has no problem r...

Have we become professional Christians, abiding in church-ianity? We unpack what this means with our guest, Pastor Andy Sloan. With honesty and humor, Andy shares how he’s learned [the hard way] that being radically on mission is simpler than we may recognize, the practicalities of living out calling, and also what he considers to be his favorite scent.

Resources Highlighted in this Interview: 

• Celebration of Disciplin...