Shepherds Network Podcast
For Shepherds by Shepherds
What About Israel? | Shepherds Network Podcast
March 26, 2024 • Acts 28:25–31, Luke 21:23–24
In this episode, Pastor John Carter and Pastor Lee Wilson delve into the current events unfolding in Israel and the significance of understanding prophetic scriptures concerning the nation. They explore the importance of praying for Israel and provide insights into interpreting biblical prophecies in relation to contemporary developments. Pastors are encouraged to prioritize blessing Israel, combatting hatred, exercising political caution, and fulfilling their pastoral responsibility through prayer and education. The emphasis is on promoting a balanced, compassionate, and prayerful approach that aligns with biblical principles and fosters spiritual growth and understanding among congregants. Key Highlights: Blessing Israel: Pastor John emphasizes the biblical mandate to bless Israel and avoid speaking negatively about the Jewish people. Combatting Hatred: Identifying contemporary anti-Semitic sentiments as demonic in origin and emphasizing the need for Christians to reject hatred and pray for the salvation and well-being of both Jews and Arabs. Political Caution: Encouraging pastors to refrain from overly politicizing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and to focus instead on prayer, compassion, and trust in God's sovereign plan. Pastoral Responsibility: Highlighting the importance of pastors addressing Israel-related topics through corporate prayer and occasional teaching, while providing resources for deeper study and understanding.
Form and Flow | Shepherds Network Podcast
March 26, 2024 • Pastor John Carter, Pastor Josh Finley
This podcast episode delves into the dynamic interplay between practicality and spirituality in ministry leadership. Pastor John Carter and Pastor Josh Finley engage in a rich dialogue, drawing parallels from biblical narratives and personal experiences to explore how leaders can effectively balance structure and spontaneity in church ministry. They discuss the importance of following the leading of the Holy Spirit, the necessity of pruning for greater fruitfulness, and the significance of embracing diverse personalities in ministry. Throughout the conversation, they challenge leaders to teach the whole counsel of Scripture and to trust the Holy Spirit's guidance in navigating the complexities of modern church leadership. Key Highlights: Following the Presence: Pastor Josh Finley emphasizes the importance of obeying the leading of the Holy Spirit in ministry, drawing parallels to the Israelites' obedience to the cloud in the wilderness. He underscores that practical aspects of ministry, such as division of labor and meticulous planning, serve the overarching goal of following God's presence. Pruning for Greater Fruitfulness: Pastor John discusses the necessity of pruning in ministry, advising not only to prune when things fail, but also when they are fruitful but potentially distracting from the main focus. He shares examples of post-COVID adaptations in their church, highlighting the importance of revival while maintaining balance and sustainability. Understanding and Embracing Personalities in Ministry: Pastor Josh Finley and Pastor John Carter reflect on how God works through individuals with diverse personalities and temperaments, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and embracing one's unique wiring in ministry. They highlight that God can work through various leadership styles and giftings, whether it's spontaneity or meticulous planning, guided by the Holy Spirit. Challenging Leaders to Teach the Whole Counsel of Scripture: Pastor Josh Finley challenges leaders to examine if there are areas of Scripture they may be avoiding due to personal discomfort or inadequacy, urging them to trust the Holy Spirit's leading in teaching the whole counsel of God's Word. He emphasizes the importance of sowing the Word into every area of ministry and trusting God to bring forth fruitfulness.
Pastoring Through Loss and Grief | Part Two
December 6, 2023
In this two-part series, join Pastor John Carter and Dr. Ron Walborn as they delve into the often-overlooked yet crucial topic of emotional health in pastoral ministry. They explore the importance of processing grief, seeking professional help, and building support networks. From practical exercises like journaling to intensive counseling retreats, they offer insights and guidance for pastors navigating the complexities of ministry while prioritizing their own emotional well-being. This podcast provides invaluable wisdom and encouragement for pastors seeking to cultivate resilience, deepen their spirituality, and lead their congregations with authenticity and grace. Key Highlights: Understanding Grief Journals: Dr. Ron Walborn explains that grief journals help process past losses and disappointments, suggesting they become a regular spiritual discipline similar to Sabbath rest. He recommends writing to the Lord as a therapeutic approach, following Jesus' model of honesty and vulnerability. Processing Emotions: Pastor John shares his congregation's experience with a feelings journal exercise, emphasizing the power of turning emotions into prayers, as seen in Psalms. Dr. Ron Walborn adds that it's important to give oneself permission to lament and allow adequate time for grieving. Overcoming Resistance to Grief: Dr. Ron Walborn addresses Pastor John's concerns about staying in a sad state and its impact on ministry, encouraging pastors to recognize resistance to healing as the enemy's attempt to maintain leverage. He shares personal insights on embracing grief and confronting past pain. Seeking Professional Help: Both Dr. Ron Walborn and Pastor John stress the importance of seeking objective help when needed, highlighting the role of intensive programs and counseling retreats in facilitating deeper healing. They emphasize that pastors should lead by example in seeking counseling and emotional support. Building Support Networks: Discussing the challenge of finding trustworthy individuals outside the ministry for support, they stress the need for pastors to prioritize their emotional health and cultivate relationships of trust. They offer practical advice on discerning trustworthy confidants through vulnerable interactions. Adapting to Change in Ministry: Dr. Ron Walborn discusses the necessity for pastors to adapt to rapid changes in ministry methods, encouraging grieving outdated approaches while embracing innovation and continual learning. He highlights the importance of remaining resilient and open to new ways of ministry leadership.
Pastoring Through Loss and Grief | Part One
December 6, 2023
This two-part series delves into the often-overlooked topic of grief within the context of ministry and personal life. Pastor John Carter and Dr. Ron Walborn explore the significance of acknowledging and processing grief, highlighting its profound impact on individuals, families, and communities. They discuss the resurgence of unprocessed grief later in life, the transformative power of reflection and self-awareness, and the healing potential of confronting unresolved emotions. This episode serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of creating space for grief and fostering a culture of empathy and support within Christian communities. Key Highlights: Acknowledging Loss: Dr. Walborn reflects on the inherent losses experienced in life and ministry, emphasizing the need to confront and process these losses rather than suppress them. Pastor John shares a poignant moment from his youth, recounting the tragic loss of his older brother in a car accident and the subsequent lack of space for grieving within his Christian community. The Resurgence of Unprocessed Grief: Both speakers discuss the common tendency among Christians to suppress or deny grief, leading to its eventual resurgence in unexpected ways later in life. Dr. Walborn highlights how unprocessed trauma and grief can manifest in midlife crises or disruptions to personal well-being and relationships. Revelations Through Parenting: Dr. Walborn shares a personal anecdote about a transformative moment in parenting when his unresolved anger and childhood trauma surfaced in his interactions with his daughter. Acknowledging the profound wisdom often exhibited by children, they discuss the impact of parental unresolved issues on family dynamics. The Healing Power of Reflection: Dr. Walborn recounts his journey of introspection and healing, culminating in a comprehensive grief journaling process during his doctoral studies. They explain the concept of a grief journal as a tool for systematically exploring and processing unresolved emotions and past experiences.
Teaching the Congregation the Law of Giving and Receiving | Part Two
December 6, 2023
In this 2 part episode, Pastor John Carter and Pastor Lee Wilson discuss how to teach a congregation about generosity, stewardship, and the laws of giving and receiving. Pastor John delves into the profound principles of biblical stewardship, focusing on the laws of work, stewardship, and giving/receiving. Drawing from Scripture and personal experiences, he emphasizes the importance of pastors teaching these principles to their congregations. Offering practical advice for pastors and insights into the spiritual significance of tithing, the episode serves as a guide for shepherds navigating the complexities of financial stewardship in their ministries. Key Highlights: Understanding Money Laws: Pastor John outlines three fundamental laws concerning money: work, stewardship, and giving/receiving. He emphasizes the importance of teaching these principles from a biblical perspective. Biblical Foundation: Pastor John references passages like Philippians 4 to underscore the significance of giving and the proper attitude towards finances. Teaching on giving and receiving is essential for congregations to grasp. Tithing as Worship: Tithing is presented as an act of worship, deeply rooted in honoring God with one's resources. Pastor John shares personal stories and church experiences illustrating the transformative power of generous giving.
Teaching the Congregation the Law of Giving and Receiving | Part One
December 6, 2023
In this 2 part episode, Pastor John Carter and Pastor Lee Wilson discuss how to teach a congregation about generosity, stewardship, and the laws of giving and receiving. This podcast episode delves into the often avoided yet crucial topic of money within the context of pastoral leadership. Pastors John Carter and Lee Wilson share personal experiences and insights on navigating challenges, learning from mentors and personal study, exploring biblical principles, and addressing misconceptions surrounding money. They emphasize the importance of understanding and teaching biblical principles of work, stewardship, and abundance within congregations, aiming to empower listeners with transformative insights for financial stewardship in their own lives and ministries. Key Highlights: Navigating Challenges in Teaching: Pastor John discusses initial struggles in teaching about money, emphasizing the importance of biblical integrity amidst resistance. Pastor Lee acknowledges misconceptions and fears within the church, stressing the importance of understanding biblical principles. Learning from Personal Study and Mentors: Pastor John shares insights from personal study, emphasizing the teachings of the apostle Paul on work and stewardship. Pastor Lee adds insights from personal upbringing, highlighting the church's role in providing financial guidance. Exploring Biblical Principles on Money: Pastor John outlines foundational principles derived from Scripture, including the law of work and stewardship. Pastor Lee shares personal experiences, emphasizing the importance of financial education and biblical principles. Addressing Misconceptions and Stereotypes: Both hosts discuss societal misconceptions about work and money, contrasting cultural norms with biblical principles.
Kinds of Pastors | Part Two
November 27, 2023
In this two-part episode, Pastor John Carter and Pastor Tony Cooke talk about the four types of pastors, and what shepherds struggle with in a Post--Covid era of ministry. In this episode, they discuss the Relational Shepherd, The Community-Oriented Pastor, the Visionary Shepherd, and The Cause-Motivated Pastor. Pastor John and Tony Cooke, explore the importance of recognizing individual strengths and weaknesses, the need for collaboration and synergy among different leadership types, and the challenges and opportunities facing churches in a changing world. They emphasize the significance of biblical teaching, relational care, organizational leadership, and vision casting in post-COVID ministry. Key Highlights: Feeding Shepherds: The podcast emphasizes the importance of teaching and nurturing spiritual growth through the Word, prioritizing a strong foundation of biblical knowledge, even though some struggle with organizational leadership due to their focus on objective truth. Introduction to the Corporate Shepherd: Described as focusing on organizational leadership and systems, drawing parallels between biblical principles and efficient organizational structures. Characteristics of Corporate Shepherds: Corporate shepherds emphasize efficiency, delegation, responsibility, and strategic planning, drawing comparisons to biblical figures like Moses and Jesus' ministry structure. Personal Reflections on Leadership: Pastors are encouraged to acknowledge personal strengths and weaknesses, embracing unique strengths, seeking support in areas of weakness, and highlighting the importance of teamwork and collaboration in church leadership. Importance of Diversity in Leadership: Reflecting on biblical teachings about pastoral leadership and diverse skill sets required, pastors are encouraged to identify primary and secondary strengths, seek support in areas of weakness, and acknowledge the need for synergy and collaboration among different leadership types. Synergy in Ministry: Explanation of the concept of synergy and its importance in ministry, with examples of synergy in action and biblical examples of teamwork in ministry provided. Adapting to a Changing World: Reflecting on challenges faced by the church in a post-COVID world, the importance of organizational leadership, relational care, vision casting, and biblical teaching is emphasized, with encouragement for pastors to seek wisdom and support in leading their congregations in this new era.
Kinds of Pastors | Part One
November 27, 2023
In this two-part episode, Pastor John Carter and Pastor Tony Cooke talk about the four types of pastors, and what shepherds struggle with in a Post--Covid era of ministry. They discuss the Relational Shepherd, The Community-Oriented Pastor, the Visionary Shepherd, and The Cause-Motivated Pastor. The podcast episode delves into the nuanced world of pastoral leadership, exploring two distinct styles: relational shepherding and visionary, cause-motivated shepherding. Through lively discussion and real-life examples, Pastor John and Tony Cooke dissect the contrasting approaches, highlighting the strengths, challenges, and inherent qualities of each. Key Highlights: Relational Shepherding: Community-oriented pastors prioritize building deep connections, offering personal care and counseling, and fostering a sense of community within the church family. Visionary, Cause-Motivated Shepherding: These pastors are driven by dreams and ideals, inspiring congregants to think big and believe in miracles. They view the church as an army, rallying committed individuals to advance the mission and fulfill the vision. Contrasts and Challenges: Cause-motivated leaders contrast with relational shepherds, facing challenges in transitioning from wartime to peacetime leadership. Historical and modern examples illustrate the complexities of leadership in times of conflict and peace. Embracing Authenticity: Pastors are encouraged to embrace their unique God-given DNA and avoid imitation. Authenticity is key, as pastors should be true to themselves and their calling.
The Supernatural Shepherd
October 26, 2023
In this episode Pastor John Carter and Pastor Lee Wilson discuss how do you combine and balance the supernatural and the natural in your life as a pastor. Through candid storytelling and heartfelt dialogue, they explore the delicate balance between moments of fruitfulness and frustration, emphasizing the necessity of relying on the Holy Spirit in times of uncertainty. As they share personal anecdotes and insights, they underscore the importance of building support networks and cultivating lifelines to navigate the highs and lows of ministry. With a focus on authenticity and vulnerability, this episode offers encouragement and practical wisdom for pastors seeking to find strength and solace in the journey of shepherding God's people. Key Highlights: Combining the Supernatural and the Natural: Pastor John acknowledges the challenge of integrating the supernatural and natural aspects of life as a pastor. He emphasizes the need for reliance on the Holy Spirit in navigating this balance. The Unique Challenges of Pastoral Duties: Pastoring involves a diverse range of responsibilities, including counseling, leadership, public speaking, and practical skills. These duties often require pastors to function on limited budgets and without substantial support staff. The Monumental Task of Pastoring: Despite the challenges, pastoring is seen as a divine calling rather than merely a career choice. Pastors face intense pressure and trauma, dealing with people's highest and lowest points of life. The Role of the Holy Spirit: Both Pastor John and Pastor Lee highlight the importance of leaning on the Holy Spirit for guidance and wisdom in navigating pastoral challenges. They share personal experiences of seeking the Holy Spirit's leading in difficult situations.
Calling vs. Career
October 26, 2023 • Pastor John Carter, Pastor Lee Wilson
In this episode of The Shepherd's Podcast, Pastor Lee and Pastor John delve into the profound nature of the divine calling to ministry. Through personal anecdotes and scriptural insights, they explore the journey of answering the call to shepherd God's flock and the difference between using your natural gifts to develop a career and supernaturally being called by God into the shepherd's ministry. Key Highlights: Answering the Call: Pastor Lee shares his personal experience of being called to preach at the age of 16, highlighting the emotional and transformative nature of the divine calling. Understanding the Nature of Ministry: Pastor John emphasizes that ministry is not merely a career choice but a divine calling, citing biblical examples of individuals who were called by God in the midst of their lives. Challenges of Shepherding: The pastors discuss the challenges and tests that come with ministry, acknowledging the weariness and struggles faced by pastors, regardless of the size of their congregation. Renewing the Call: Pastor John offers words of encouragement and prayer for pastors who may feel weary or discouraged in their calling, reminding them of God's love, grace, and the enduring nature of their divine commission.
Why a Shepherd's Podcast
October 26, 2023 • Pastor John Carter, Pastor Lee Wilson
In this inaugural episode, Pastor John Carter and Pastor Lee Wilson set the stage for what listeners can expect from The Shepherds Podcast, delving into the heart of pastoral ministry, challenges faced, and the vision for this unique resource. Key Highlights: Navigating Challenges: Pastors John and Lee engage in candid conversation about the realities of pastoral life, including the pressures of public scrutiny and the need for accountability. Scriptural Foundation: Exploring Jesus' model of ministering to His disciples, the hosts discuss the importance of tailored guidance for spiritual leaders. Levels of Revelation: Drawing from Jesus' teachings and the New Testament, insights are shared about the progressive nature of spiritual understanding and leadership revelation. Future Topics: A glimpse into upcoming episodes, covering diverse themes such as the distinction between career and calling, women in ministry, emotional well-being for pastors, family leadership, and addressing contemporary cultural issues.