Strength for Today's Pastor

Comments? Questions? Send us a message! Joyful generosity. It's a biblical concept. 2 Corinthians 9:7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. Is it possible to outgive God? Is it possible for a congregation to be led in such a way that the body of believers will love, love, love giving to God, giving to others, and investing in His kingdom. Find out some suggestions that might help you, the pastor, accomplish that with your fellowship. For Poimen Ministries, its staff, ministries, and focus, go to poimenministries.com. To contact Poimen Ministries, email us at strongerpastors@gmail.com. May the Lord revive His work in the midst of these years!

Comments? Questions? Send us a message! This is the second of a three part series on pastors and leaders discipling the saints in the areas of giving and stewardship Not always an easy topic to address, but important. Jesus taught His disciples on the subjects of giving and stewardship. Jesus commanded us to go and make disciples, teaching people to observe all things He has commanded us. Therefore, we are to teach people about giving and stewardship as part of our discipling curriculum. These short episodes are designed to give some practical ideas and tools to the equippers. Our prayer is that the Holy Spirit will make at least some of these concepts useful to the hearers. For Poimen Ministries, its staff, ministries, and focus, go to poimenministries.com. To contact Poimen Ministries, email us at strongerpastors@gmail.com. May the Lord revive His work in the midst of these years!

Comments? Questions? Send us a message! This is the first in a three part series which can be helpful to senior pastors and church leadership teams re: how to practically deal with giving and stewardship in their churches. First, we'll look at where teaching and leading on giving and stewardship fit within the overall concept of equipping the saints for ministry ... which we pastors are called by God to do. It may be a new thought for some, but teaching and leading in these areas is part of Christian discipleship, which we're also called to do. We'll even go so far as to say that we can't develop fully mature believers without helping them discover and practice these truths. If Jesus instructed His disciples (and us) in these matters, then this must be part of our curriculum as we disciple others. The transcript of this podcast is attached. For Poimen Ministries, its staff, ministries, and focus, go to poimenministries.com. To contact Poimen Ministries, email us at strongerpastors@gmail.com. May the Lord revive His work in the midst of these years!

Comments? Questions? Send us a message! Our devices. Our phones. Our laptops. Our tablets. Our iPads. Whatever. They can be a huge blessing. They can be an enormous distraction. Listen in to this carefully and thoughtfully developed episode, taught by Pastor Nate Holdridge at Calvary Monterey in May 2025. Speaking personally, it blessed and encouraged me, big-time. I'm working smarter now, even on my so-called smart phone. Listen and share. This will helm many. For Poimen Ministries, its staff, ministries, and focus, go to poimenministries.com. To contact Poimen Ministries, email us at strongerpastors@gmail.com. May the Lord revive His work in the midst of these years!

Comments? Questions? Send us a message! Cory Kilgus is a man with a vision. His vision drives his efforts. The key to all of this is explained in this podcast. Get the right vision (the Biblical vision), and then follow the Lord and trust the Holy Spirit to get it done. A simple recipe for God-produced success. A pattern for pastors and church planters and disciplers everywhere. For Poimen Ministries, its staff, ministries, and focus, go to poimenministries.com. To contact Poimen Ministries, email us at strongerpastors@gmail.com. May the Lord revive His work in the midst of these years!

Comments? Questions? Send us a message! Welcome to Podcast 174. Today I’m with Dr. Bruce Hebel, author of the incredible, life altering book Forgiving Forward: Experience the Freedom of the Gospel through the Power of Forgiveness. All close followers of Jesus Christ know that we should forgive others, but there are things about forgiveness that are about as clear as mud to us. In this episode of SFTP, we talked with Bruce about the common misconceptions that are out there about what forgiveness really means, and how to actually do it. Among the misconceptions are the following ones: -forgiveness is not a process (it’s a decision) -to forgive someone, there’s no need to go to that person and tell him/her. -Forgiveness is transacted with the Father. See Mark 11:25-26 -forgiveness is not the same thing as reconciliation -forgiveness is not salvific; but, forgiveness of the wounds of others determines how the Father acts toward us in this life (Matthew 6:12, 14-15) And more... Feedback and/or questions welcomed! For Poimen Ministries, its staff, ministries, and focus, go to poimenministries.com. To contact Poimen Ministries, email us at strongerpastors@gmail.com. May the Lord revive His work in the midst of these years!

Comments? Questions? Send us a message! At 72 years of age, Pastor John Offutt of LifeSource Community Church in Lindale, Texas, is hardly a young man. He started LifeSource when he was in his 60s, hardly an age thought to be fitting for a new church plant. One of the main things he had in his favor was that he'd been around the block before, several times in fact. He had experience and was (and is) gifted to do what he does. But he also didn't care. Meaning, he didn't care how others thought he should lead this new work; he was free. Free to lead. Free to assemble a team that could come together and radically touch the community. It's an innovative church. They every month of the year that has five Sundays, and dedicate that Sunday to meeting urgent needs in the community. In other words, they don't meet in the church facility, they meet at numerous homes to help in Jesus' name. They have a "cash helps" Sunday each month, when congregants prepare to give cash offerings which are distributed on the spot to those who need it. They have The Journey Class, which disciples newcomers and new believers in a number of areas... and they call the graduates of the class "partners." Included in the curriculum? Congregants learn how to practice gospel-centered forgiveness, and are expected to actually do it. A refreshing church, diverse yet unified. This episode focuses on The Journey Class. For Poimen Ministries, its staff, ministries, and focus, go to poimenministries.com. To contact Poimen Ministries, email us at strongerpastors@gmail.com. May the Lord revive His work in the midst of these years!

Comments? Questions? Send us a message! For Poimen Ministries, its staff, ministries, and focus, go to poimenministries.com. To contact Poimen Ministries, email us at strongerpastors@gmail.com. May the Lord revive His work in the midst of these years!

Comments? Questions? Send us a message! The Barnabas Method has silently transformed over 500 men's lives across decades, and now this powerful discipleship process is available to every church leader seeking authentic spiritual formation for the men they shepherd. What's the difference between knowing biblical information and becoming like Christ? According to Pastor Dale Lewis, most discipleship approaches focus too heavily on knowledge acquisition while neglecting the transformational aspects of spiritual growth. "Barnabas is about becoming the right person, not just having the right answers," Lewis explains, drawing from his decades of experience implementing this 13-week process. The genius of the Barnabas Method lies in its radical relationality. Built on what Lewis calls "the three Ts" - teachability, transparency, and transference - this approach creates safe spaces for men to admit they don't know everything, share vulnerably about their struggles, and commit to passing what they learn to others. The process unfolds through weekly meetings where men practice focused listening, report on dates with their wives, tackle biblical concepts like new covenant living, and hold one another accountable with remarkable specificity. Perhaps most counterintuitive is the requirement that the pastor or leader position themselves as a fellow learner rather than an expert who has "arrived." This vulnerability creates the conditions for authentic community where true transformation can occur. "If you can't learn from another man," Lewis warns, "that's saying something about how much you're actually going to learn from the Holy Spirit." The curriculum traces its origins through a discipleship lineage including Ray Stedman, Harry Ironside, and J. Vernon McGee, but has been refined and streamlined into a reproducible process any church can implement. After completing the 13 weeks, participants are encouraged to begin discipling others, creating exponential multiplication that transforms not just individual men but entire church cultures. Ready to move beyond programs to transformation? Download the free Barnabas curriculum in any of 103 languages at ScriptureSupply.com and join the growing movement of churches discovering that discipleship isn't about filling positions—it's about forming men who increasingly reflect Christ. Again, to access the curriculum, go to scripturesupply.com, then navigate to Teachings, then to Special Studies, then to Barnabas. It’s all there. You can download the curriculum in PDF format using the following link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fYlSxeF9mEfTOKoUdx5aC2IqVE1GMQxK/view?usp=drive_link For Poimen Ministries, its staff, ministries, and focus, go to poimenministries.com. To contact Poimen Ministries, email us at strongerpastors@gmail.com. May the Lord revive His work in the midst of these years!

Comments? Questions? Send us a message! This is a podcast done by Karl Vaters (author, Small Church Essentials) and Sean Nemecek, a pastor who ministers to pastors to help keep them vitalized and fruitful. The name of the podcast is The Church Lobby, Conversations on Faith and Ministry. We asked permission to play this episode in its entirety. I think you'll find it to be extremely helpful and practical, dealing with the subject of pastoral sabbaticals. The Why, When, and How. Such a need in today's pastoral and church climate, where pastors are commonly becoming burned out and unhealthy, largely due to the demand upon them in this impossible calling (impossible apart from God's enabling help). For Poimen Ministries, its staff, ministries, and focus, go to poimenministries.com. To contact Poimen Ministries, email us at strongerpastors@gmail.com. May the Lord revive His work in the midst of these years!

Comments? Questions? Send us a message! Pastor Brian Heminger has been in pastoral ministry for a lot of years, most recently as the founding and longtime pastor of Calvary Chapel Half Moon Bay. As such, Brian was bi-vocational. His work life outside of the church was as a full-time evangelist, in the role of barber. Now he's retired from that role, but continues in his calling as a pastor-teacher. We pastors all need encouragement. Brian's story provides that for all of us. Blessings, Bill Holdridge For Poimen Ministries, its staff, ministries, and focus, go to poimenministries.com. To contact Poimen Ministries, email us at strongerpastors@gmail.com. May the Lord revive His work in the midst of these years!

Comments? Questions? Send us a message! For Poimen Ministries, its staff, ministries, and focus, go to poimenministries.com. To contact Poimen Ministries, email us at strongerpastors@gmail.com. May the Lord revive His work in the midst of these years!

Comments? Questions? Send us a message! Dale Lewis's life is an example of a man who continues to allow the Lord to do what He wants in and through him. Dale has pastored two churches: Calvary Chapel Merced in the central valley of California, and Bitterroot Calvary Chapel in Hamilton, Montana. He has since retired from the church in Montana, and now lives in Florida, from where he continues to serve the Lord within his calling and gifting. Personally, I’ve known Dale since 1981, and will never forget the Sunday morning when he and his wife Donna both raised their hands to receive Christ. As an older pastor friend of mine used to say, “He got saved real good.” Dale Lewis is a pastor we all need to know ... not necessarily in a personal way, but with respect to the example he has set for us, particularly in his devotion to the study and teaching of the Word of God, and in his discipling of many men into a life in the Spirit (aka "new covenant" living), and into ministry. In this writer's opinion, these two things are sorely lacking in today's church. Dale's ministry is an example of how both can be done well and/or better than we've done them. For Poimen Ministries, its staff, ministries, and focus, go to poimenministries.com. To contact Poimen Ministries, email us at strongerpastors@gmail.com. May the Lord revive His work in the midst of these years!

Comments? Questions? Send us a message! Pastor John Knapp of Calvary Chapel Green Valley in Henderson, Nevada is passionate about the Lord Jesus Christ and he and the fellowship he pastors are experiencing a wonderful time of renewal in the Holy Spirit. So, that's what we’re going to speaking with him about today … we'll hear their testimony and the wisdom the Spirit has given them. John is the founding pastor of CC Green Valley and has pastored for years. I (Bill Holdridge) met John through being practically neighbors, and through the monthly senior pastor’s breakfast that happens in Las Vegas. It’s been said of some churches that if the Holy Spirit completely vacated the building and fellowship life, things wouldn’t miss a beat. Implying, of course, that all they had been doing was energized by human effort only, and not influenced by the very One Jesus prayed about to His Father, that He (the Holy Spirit) would be our parakletos. How might a senior pastor move more into the realm and ministry of the Holy Spirit? How does a pastor or congregation become open to the person of the Holy Spirit? What has Calvary Chapel Green Valley learned about how to seek God for and be open to the Holy Spirit's direction in the life of the pastor and the church? ____________________________ Obviously, Poimen Ministries believes in the perpetuity of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and in the necessity of the Holy Spirit for a fruitful walk with the Lord and fruitful lives of ministry. Strength for Today’s Pastor includes these helpful podcast episodes: 035 - Are We Charismatic Enough? - with Pastor Paul Berry 064 Acts 2 Distinctives Series- the Power and Ministry of the Holy Spirit (with Holland Davis and Jim Hesterly) 096- The Holy Spirit and Speaking in Tongues- with Gayle Erwin 133- Are You Holy Spirit Qualified for the Ministry? (with Paul Berry) 135- The Holy Spirit and Ministry: What Holds Us Back? (with Paul Berry) The team of Poimen Ministries love the church of Jesus, and His pastors. Our ministry is to promote church health and revitalization by strengthening pastors, to strengthen their churches. For Poimen Ministries, its staff, ministries, and focus, go to poimenministries.com. To contact Poimen Ministries, email us at strongerpastors@gmail.com. May the Lord revive His work in the midst of these years!

Comments? Questions? Send us a message! Podcast 166 is one that I've wanted to do for some time, but needed to wait for the right time. Now is the right time. Pastor, do you want to experience the power of the gospel in forgiveness? Do you want this for your fellowship? I know you do. In this episode of SFTP, discover: Listen in, and then share, share, share. For Poimen Ministries, its staff, ministries, and focus, go to poimenministries.com. To contact Poimen Ministries, email us at strongerpastors@gmail.com. May the Lord revive His work in the midst of these years!

Comments? Questions? Send us a message! This is podcast 164 of Strength for Today’s Pastor. In this interview, I'm speaking with Pastor Dan Jacobsen, a lead/teaching pastor at Heartland Community Church in Olathe, Kansas. In addition to his role as a pastor-teacher, Dan has the unique distinction of being a grandson of the now-in-heaven pastor and Bible teacher, the beloved Dr. Warren Wiersbe. This is going to be a fun conversation for that reason alone. But wait! There will be more! So, welcome to the program. Be sure to listen to the end, to discover how to win something special from Dr. Wiersbe's works. For Poimen Ministries, its staff, ministries, and focus, go to poimenministries.com. To contact Poimen Ministries, email us at strongerpastors@gmail.com. May the Lord revive His work in the midst of these years!

Comments? Questions? Send us a message! Shaun and Sheila Sells have served faithfully as a senior/lead pastor and wife team with Calvary Chapel Cheyenne, Wyoming. Then, after 20 years in that role, Shaun handed the church leadership reins over to his admin pastor, with a vision to move on to the next season of life and ministry for the both of them. Both Shaun and Sheila are retired from the U.S. Air Force (Sheila ends her career in mid-November 2024). Listen to their story, and get inspired and instructed by this couple's kingdom mindset. Blessings as you do. For Poimen Ministries, its staff, ministries, and focus, go to poimenministries.com. To contact Poimen Ministries, email us at strongerpastors@gmail.com. May the Lord revive His work in the midst of these years!

Comments? Questions? Send us a message! Dr. Richard Clinton is an expert on Christian leadership. He and his father Dr. J. Robert Clinton have spent more than 40 years researching, analyzing, and instructing on the subject. They've looked at Biblical leaders, at leaders in the history of the church. They've been thorough, to say the least. What Richard has to say with regard to the life stages of the Christian leader is vital and helpful for Christian leaders fom a vision and preparation standpoint. And also helpful for the older leaders as they move into their sunset years, as well as for younger leaders, to understand where they are in the overall plan of God for them right now. Listen in, make comments, ask questions. We'll do our best to help. For Poimen Ministries, its staff, ministries, and focus, go to poimenministries.com. To contact Poimen Ministries, email us at strongerpastors@gmail.com. May the Lord revive His work in the midst of these years!

Comments? Questions? Send us a message! Richard Clinton is passionate with regard to helping Christian leaders—particularly pastors—finish well. Richard pastored 5 churches during the course of his 40-year pastoral ministry, and also served with his father, Dr. J. Robert Clinton, in the field of Christian leadership studies and training. The book The Making of a Leader: Recognizing Lessons and Stages of Leadership Development is the foundational book resulting from their work. 49 Biblical leaders were evaluated carefully, using a consistent set of criteria. Had they finished well? The conclusion: only 13 of these leaders did finish well. Join us in this episode, as Richard Clinton breaks down the patterns of those who did finish well, as well as the behaviors and areas of failure that led to finishing badly. Obviously, this is very timely, given today's pastoral climate. And, there is help available! For Poimen Ministries, its staff, ministries, and focus, go to poimenministries.com. To contact Poimen Ministries, email us at strongerpastors@gmail.com. May the Lord revive His work in the midst of these years!

Comments? Questions? Send us a message! Podcast Episode 161 Introduction We love to hear pastors tell their own stories, and provide wisdom to others that they've gleaned and that has grown in them over their years of service. Today we have with us pastor Rich Lammay, who has been a senior/lead pastor for 32+ years in the relatively small town of Gardnerville, Nevada. Poimen Ministries recently served the church Rich serves, High Sierra Fellowship, as Rich and his wife Suzanne took three months to enjoyed a well-deserved and needed time away, to regroup and refresh. I was part of the serving team, and it was a wonderful experience for both me and pastor Phil Evans of Poimen Ministries. So now that Rich is back in the saddle, so to speak, I wanted to have him share some of what he has learned, and some of what the Lord has done. I think you'll be encouraged. ____________________________________________________ § Welcome to Strength for Today’s Pastor, episode 161. Poimen Ministries’ focus is for the strengthening and revitalization of the church. Therefore, the goal of this podcast is to provide interview episodes that will be encouraging to pastors and leaders anywhere. § So, today we have with us Pastor Rich Lammay, senior/lead pastor of High Sierra Fellowship, located in Gardnerville, Nevada. High Sierra Fellowship is a wonderful church, a church I’ve personally gotten to know. It is an impressive work of God! Rich has recently gotten back in the saddle after being given a three-month sabbatical after many years of ministry. So, we’re going to hear about that. § Rich, welcome to the program. Interview Bio Stuff So Rich, let’s get to know you a bit here… you are married to Suzanne, and have been for over 50 years. Congrats on that… Give us a 35,000’ view of your conversion, calling, and ministry life, if you would. (As an example, the church website does a great job telling the story concisely: https://hsfellowship.org/index.php/about-us/staff.) Lessons of a Pioneer So, you’ve been the lead pastor of HSF since 1992. You did that for a couple of years, and then by faith, left your corporate job to serve as a pastor-teacher full time. That was a pioneering step of faith! What did you learn, and how did that grow you? Over the years, HSF has moved its primary meeting place a number of times. How many times has the church moved in the last 34 years? Now, the church meets in its beautiful facilities right in the heart of Gardnerville. And after a relatively short time, you’re already running out of room. Lessons Learned Over the Years What are the top five lessons/concepts you’ve learned in your years of pastoral ministry? Sabbatical Experience (And the Return) A three-month sabbatical: what preparation was required to pull it off? People have no idea the pressures upon a senior/lead pastor, but there are many. Decompression is needed, and sabbath is needed. How long did it take you to decompress? What did the Lord do in you and Suzanne during your time away? What did He show you? G. Campbell Morgan made this statement: “The value of distance is perspective.” With the perspective of being away for three months, what has changed, might change, will change moving forward? Two Minute Drill Rich, I’d like you to take two minutes or less to speak directly to your fellow pastors and For Poimen Ministries, its staff, ministries, and focus, go to poimenministries.com. To contact Poimen Ministries, email us at strongerpastors@gmail.com. May the Lord revive His work in the midst of these years!