On this episode, I have the privilege to interview Dr. Brian Fairchild. Brian tells us the story of how God took the vision of a willing servant and allowed him to become the Director of the Academy for Expository Preaching. This one course has already impacted the lives of over 500 as they expand their calling. The Academy is a ministry of OnePassion Ministries founded by Dr. Steve Lawson. If you listened to the whole episode and would like to take advantage of the offer given by AOA please email fbc@faithwv.org and put “the offer” in the subject box. Also, if you share this episode on social media and tag @tregspicer and @academyforexpositorypreaching you will be entered for a chance to win “Called to Preach” by Dr. Steve Lawson. Also, please join our new Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/232375942928284/?mibextid=oMANbw https://theexpositorsacademy.org/ https://assistantpastors.org/
It was the day of my dad’s open-heart surgery when I received a prophecy that would come true 12 years later. The heart surgeon met with my brother and me and described the surgery. He then said something that I will never forget. “You boys are next. There is nothing you can do to avoid it. You can’t deny the genes you were given.” He then went on to tell us this story. “I have a great friend and colleague who is an avid cyclist. After one of his rides, he wasn’t feeling well. He demanded I give him a heart cath in light of his family history. I thought he was crazy! I did it, and he ended up with bypass surgery.” After hearing those words I walked away with a choice. I could either live life however I wanted, enjoy Little Debbies and fried food seeing I was destined to die anyway or try to beat the odds. I opted for the latter. Did it keep me from a heart attack, no, but it did save my life when my day came. Spiritually life is the same way. Paul is much like my Dad’s surgeon when he said, “All that live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” Does that mean we should just live it up any way we want knowing our doomsday is coming? No, we should work on our spiritual well-being so when it comes we survive and do not get destroyed. It’s amazing when one goes through a health crisis how many “doctors” and “nutritionalist" are out there wanting to help and offer advice. Obviously, they believe in their products and procedures, and some might even financially benefit from them! I recently read a post about a friend whose wife was diagnosed with cancer. After he informed everyone on their decision about treatments he then said something like this: “Understand this is the direction we have decided to go, and any other ideas for us you might have please do not share them.” I don’t think people mean to come across in a negative way, and I honestly believe they want to help, but when the whole nation chips in with their thoughts and ideas it can be and is overwhelming. Bottom line is, I need to do what works best for me. If McDonald's french fries is the only thing I can eat without causing me pain and agony bring on the basket of fries! If it's blueberries and protein shakes so be it. If it is an infusion every 8 weeks then I’ll open my schedule up for these appointments. I must do what works for me and what will give me life and health in the long haul. When it comes to our spiritual health we tend to do the same thing. We have attributed God’s blessing to certain ways we have done things. Due to the results, we tend to promote the method instead of the means. That is the reason why there are so many books on prayer. There is no one way. We can pray like Daniel and see results. We can pray 2 Chronicles 7:14 every day at 7:14 and see results. We can pray the prayer of Jabez…well…I’ll stop there. God does not honor one prayer over another because of the time we pray it, or if we eat The Daniel’s diet or Domino’s pizza after we pray. The truth is, much like our physical health, what works for us is not the answer for all. There is no right or wrong way to help yourself spiritually. There is no secret book or program for you to buy that will bless you or your family in a special way. There is no pastor or evangelist that can give you the secrets of spiritual success so you never struggle again. It just does not exist. So my encouragement to you today is to pray. Read. Spend time with your Savior. There is only one way to know Him (Phil. 3:10) and that is to spend time with Him! But as assistant pastors one thing I think we lack is an appreciation and realization of exactly how powerful prayer is and necessary for our current ministry. There are two reasons why prayer is so important at this stage of the game for our assistant pastors. 1) Prayer changes things. 2) Prayer changes you. As assistants, we tend to put our focus on others and ministry. We are in a hero mode many times wanting to solve problems, pick up pieces that are left behind, and do all we can to shine. We are quick to brag on how many hours we work a week, but I have yet to have an assistant brag to me about the number of hours he prays. Do you think God is looking at how you punch the time clock or stop the clock in the prayer closet? It is not until we realize what we can accomplish for God and ourselves by prayer, that we will find breakthroughs in our lives and ministries. Alright Treg, if there is no secret recipe or divine design, what do I need to do to pray? First, allow me to give you some practical advice. 1. Find a place to pray. 2. Find a particular time to pray. 3. Have a plan to pray. Set up a plan! Here is a sample to get you started. Monday-Missions Tuesday-Terrific people in my life (friends) Wednesday-Witness (Pastors local and global) Thursday-Taken request from Wednesday Friday- Family (extended, immediate is every day by name). Saturday-Summit Ridge (my neighborhood) Sunday-Sermon, the Spirit, and strength to preach the Scripture.
In this episode Dan and I will discuss when to go from your current position when God taps you on the shoulder, and what it might cost you to go. I hope this episode is an encouragement to you as you prayerfully consider "what's next."
What’s next is a question many of you probably ask yourself on a regular basis. You find yourself daydreaming about working for or with certain pastors or ministries. You long for the day when God opens the door for you to be a “real pastor” so you can be the one casing vision and direction.
Pastor Treg and David talk about Treg's book and how we can all make the most of the early years of serving in ministry. Link to Free Chapter: https://tregspicer.com/
Treg and Bobby go into the Biblical reasons to have pastoral interns. Bobby talks about how to have an intern for minimal money, what to do with an intern, and how to mentor while still being an assistant pastor. Treg's Book: https://www.amazon.com/Ministering-Middle-Becoming-Assistant-Pastor/dp/1632967464 Treg's Website: https://tregspicer.com/ Treg's Blog: https://tregspicer.com/blog/ Bobby's Contact: info@trinitybc.church Bobby's Books: http://bit.ly/4e3ysEt Bobby's Articles: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/profile/bobby-jamieson/
Chris Parrish has been the senior pastor at Buck Run Baptist Church for one hear. He talks to Treg about how Pastor York set up him to succeed.
Pastor Joe shares how being an assistant pastor is his third career and how his life experience has shaped the way he thinks about being an assistant pastor. Links: Treg’s Book - https://bit.ly/43F2ag8 Scheduling Software - https://calendly.com/ Pastor Joe’s article on assistant pastors - https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/associate-pastor-good-second/ Parenting book - http://bit.ly/4iTOSko Pastor Joe’s contact - joe.carter@gospelcoalition.org #davidplatt #assistantpastor #churchleadership #churchleaders #churchleader
In this episode of AOA, Treg talks with Jonathan Beazley who has travelled as an evangelist, church planter, and fitness coach. Jonathan is going to share his struggles with church planting and ministry and how our fitness can advance our ministries as assistant pastors. Jonathan's website: mindandbodystrength.com
Join Treg and Cary as they dive into the profound lessons they've learned from the trials God has guided them through. From sharing personal stories to offering insights, this episode explores how faith can grow in the face of suffering. Whether you're going through a storm of life now or just want to be prepared for the future, let this podcast be a source of hope, comfort, and wisdom for whatever lies ahead.
This is part two of a conversation Treg and Dan began last episode. In this episode Treg and Dan talk more specifically about what a thrown spear looks like in ministry and talk about some helpful ways for assistant pastors to avoid those thrown spears.
Treg and Dan are back in the Coffee Shop to record another episode of AOA! Treg and Dan talk about the struggles David had when he rejected the armor of King Saul and how assistant pastors can learn from those lessons.
Dr. Chris Sanchez is the Executive Pastor at Flat Creek Baptist Church in the Atlanta, GA area. He started vocational ministry in 2016 and has been busy serving ever since! In January 2018, he began a three-year journey serving as vice president of the Georgia Baptist Association of Christian Educators (GBACE). In January 2019, he became president-elect of GBACE and in 2020 served as president of the organization during which time D. Sanchez was able to lead the organization through a process of rebranding to become the Georgia Baptist Disciple-Makers Network. Also in January 2019, Dr. Sanchez began a five-year term as a trustee of the Georgia Baptist Foundation. At the 200th Georgia Baptist Convention, he had the privilege of serving as Chairman of the Committee on Resolutions which presented messengers with seven resolutions which all passed.
Pastor Kurt Skelly is a senior pastor at Faith Baptist Church in Fredericksburg, VA. He travels all around the country speaking at churches, conferences, retreats, and camps, and has a true passion for helping church leaders. In this episode of AOA he shares lessons on how to lead through a transition to a new ministry.
Dan Larison has been an Assistant Pastor for 18 years. He joined the Parkside pastoral team in September 2005 but he and his wife, Pam, have been members of the church since 1998. Dan's responsibilities include overseeing their missionaries, managing their small groups, and is a mentor in their Residency program. Dan hails from Cincinnati and attended Adrian College and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He and Pam have five children.
Brent has been with Dean Miller in three different states and in three different ministries. He is currently Pastor Miller's assistant at Front Range Baptist.
Phil Johnson has served with Pastor John MacArthur for 40 years. In this interview, he gives us the background of his calling and how God opened the doors for him to serve at Grace to You Ministries. Phil is a teaching pastor at Grace Community Church and the executive director of Grace to You. I think you will find this podcast interesting and encouraging.