Pastor's Leadership Podcast

Hi there, pastor. If your ministry experience has been anything like mine has been lately, then you know sometimes church families can walk through the valley together. When those times come, you may need to hit pause on your current sermon series and speak encouragement to the hearts of your congregation.Today's episode is a recording of a recent sermon I preached to encourage my congregation after experiencing the loss of loved ones over time and through this COVID trial. I hope you'll listen in and be encouraged, too. You're also more than welcome to use illustrations and anything else from this sermon to minister to your church family as well. From time to time, I'll share more sermons here in addition to our regular format. Because sometimes sitting opposite the pulpit is exactly what our hearts need. Many blessings to you, friend, as we strive to build His kingdom together.- Les

Who baptizes at your church? And do you only baptize church members?Listen in on a discussion among several pastors on this important subject to get a better perspective on this sometimes controversial issue. Mentioned Links & Resources:PastorsLeadershipNetwork.comEntrePastors.com

In all my years in pastoral ministry, I only tried to talk a couple into staying one time — and I regretted it. In this episode of Pastor’s Leadership Podcast, I share a few ways that have helped me handle leaving church members that I’m sure can help you, too.Listen in and I’ll dive deeper into each of these points:Track trends and involvement.Tread lightly but find out why they’re leaving (or have already left) with an honest conversation.Talk to others to get honest feedback about your ministry.Trust God’s providence. Take the high road — don’t burn bridges.Treat it as a learning experience.

In the latest episode of Pastor's Leadership Podcast, I interview Jon Sanders, coach to pastors and the host of Small Town Big Church podcast.For many years, Jon served as the Lead Pastor of a South Dakota based multi-site church with a huge vision to reach rural communities with the gospel and is a leading voice in the rural church arena. Some of the topics we discuss are:the brokenness of our current church modelhow to overcome limiting beliefs how God wants to use small churches in big waysResources:SmallTownBigChurch.com The Small Town Big Church Podcast

In the latest episode of the Pastor's Leadership Podcast, Les Hughes shares a few practical tips to ensure your next ministry leader meeting saves you time and helps you accomplish your goal for that meeting.Tips include starting and ending on time, assigning action points to attendees and having a clear agenda.

In the latest episode of The Pastor's Leadership Podcast, Les Hughes walks you through the key questions you need to ask yourself while making any important decision for your ministry as well as the criteria you need for measuring the results of your decision.The key questions are:What is it that I’m trying to achieve? What are the best and the worst possible outcomes?How will you measure success?Download the PLN Decision Making Framework here to use any time you make a change or a decision that impacts your ministry. To learn more about PLN Membership and Cohorts, visit PastorsLeadershipNetwork.com.

Many pastors understand that change is often necessary in the growth of a church, but it's also critical to understand the emotions that you and the people you lead may have during the cycle of change.Today's episode walks you through give big emotions that people have during change. When you understand the emotional cycle of change, you'll be better equipped to lead and to help those you lead. Show Notes:Get your free outline to the episode here. Learn more about PLN Membership and Cohorts here. 

So God has given you a brand new assignment. You’ve met with the Search Committee or Team and the church leadership and staff team. The boxes of books and all your framed credentials are stacked in your new office. And your future is so bright you gotta wear shades. Now what? Well, keep listening and I’ll give you a road map for you first 100 days at your new place of ministry. And remember -- this is always for your first 100 days.

Michael Catt, Senior Pastor of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia for over 32 years, is our guest speaker for today's episode.In addition to his leadership role at Sherwood,  Michael is an author, pastors’ conference and retreat host, and movie producer: Courageous, (2011), Fireproof (2008), Facing the Giants (2006) and Flywheel (2003). Currently Michael is on a medical sabbatical from his leadership role. We cover many topics in this episode but they all tie into the primary topic of leading through personal trials.*****SHOW NOTESMichael Catt talks about his trial with prostate cancer, the lessons he's learned, his decision to pass the baton and the way he's doing it.He also shared about the necessity of humility and prayer in leadership.Mentioned Resources:Ron Dunn: His Life and MissionRon Dunn: SermonsManley Beasley: Man of Faith - Instrument of Revival

Our special guest on today's episode is Dennis Watson, the founding and Lead Pastor of Celebration Church in New Orleans, Louisiana.Celebration Church is a multi-cultural, multi-site church that began in 1989. Celebration Church is known throughout the world for its innovative worship, commitment to evangelism and discipleship, small-group ministry, and compassion and inner-city ministries.Listen in to hear how Dennis has grown and educated his church family in the difficult matters of racism and politics in the church.*****SHOW NOTESMentioned Resources:Roadmap to Racial ReconciliationThe Color of CompromiseOne Blood: Parting Words to the Church on Race and LoveWatch: NOTBS Sermon on Ephesians 2:11-22 Some “truths” from God’s Word to consider in election time:God wants us to support initiatives and platforms that seek to protect and preserve human life (Genesis 1:26, Exodus 20:13, Psalm 139:13-16, Jeremiah 1:5 God wants us to support initiatives and platforms that that support the understanding that marriage is a commitment between a man and a womanGod wants us to support initiatives and platforms that address the needs of the poor and ensure access to education for everyoneGod wants us to support initiatives and platforms that oppose unjust discrimination and pursue justice for all citizens and immigrantsGod wants us to support initiatives and platforms that promote peace in our nation and pursue peace throughout our worldGod wants us to support initiatives and platforms that ensure full conscience protection and religious freedomGod wants us to support initiatives and platforms that advance care for His creation

As Family Minister at West Bradenton Baptist Church, Jenny Funderburke Smith leads family members to take the gospel to their neighbors and the nations.In the latest episode of PLP, Jenny discusses recruiting enthusiastic volunteers; serving your community; and helping family members (especially kids) recover emotionally from the pandemic as they return to church and minister to community hurts.This episode is a recording of a recent virtual Leadership Lunch. (To learn how you can join us on free leadership lunches throughout March, go here.)*****Show  NotesFood for Thought:"Everything is different right now. What does God want us to do with that?"Some things Jenny and her church did differently that resulted in more engaged members:Integrating children's, teen's and adult's worshipIncluding a "family minute" in the middle of the sermonReevaluating every activity to make sure it tied into their "why"We enjoyed an insightful Q&A session after Jenny's talk and talked about:how the shutdown has affected church attendancewelcoming new guests leading change in ministryMentioned ResourcesEverydaykidsministry.com (Jenny's website)Books by Jim WidemanGospelatcenter.comChurchAnswers.comPLN Mastermind GroupsContact:You're welcome to email us with any questions you have.Email Jenny Funderburke SmithEmail Les Hughes

From a few hundred worshippers in Central Mississippi to 5 strategic campuses across the state, the leadership of Pinelake Church will tell you there has been one constant through it all—Prayer.In the latest episode of Pastor's Leadership Podcast, Chip Henderson -- lead pastor at Pinelake -- shares some principles, practices, and strategies that have helped him and the Pinelake team lead their church family to become a House of Prayer for the Nations.This episode is a recording of a recent virtual Leadership Lunch. (To learn how you can join us on free leadership lunches throughout March, go here.) Show NotesWorthy Quote:"The best prayers start in Heaven."We pray because . . . We care about the next generation.Jesus and the early church modeled it.God can do in one moment than we can do in 50 lifetimes.God advances His kingdom through us.Mentioned Books:With Christ in the School of Prayer by Andrew MurrayThe Autobiography of George MuellerListening and Inter-Healing Prayer by Rusty RustenbachThe Unseen Realm by Michael Heiser

As a preacher of the gospel, as well as a former gubernatorial candidate for the state of Alabama, Scott understands the challenges of evangelism for the local church, especially given the political hot potatoes that affect almost every community.In this episode of PLP, Scott discusses what it takes to create a church culture that blesses a community and witnesses people coming to Jesus.

After a busy season like 2020, how do you as a leader, reestablish a healthy rhythm? In this episode, Les Hughes walks you through four things you can do to hit that reset button.Pastors in the mastermind group shared several good ideas including:Establish boundaries.Hold yourself accountable to others.Establish rituals in your day.Clean out the calendar closet.Worthy Quote:What you do early gets done.Mentioned Resources & Links:Join us on Wednesdays throughout March for Pastors' Leadership Virtual Lunches. It's free and we would love to have you. Go here to see the speaker lineup and to sign up for the Zoom link. Learn about PLN Mastermind Groups at PastorsLeadershipNetwork.com.

What do you do when those you serve don’t like your ministry decisions? In this episode of Pastor’s Leadership Network, Les Hughes shares some golden answers he learned from a group of pastors who recently met in a Pastors’ Leadership Network mastermind. Pastors in the mastermind group shared several good ideas including:Work under your ministry’s leadership structureStay calm.Ask questions.And tie everything you do back to the mission often.Worthy Quote:People leave every ministry, but by speaking to your mission, you can have a voice in who leaves.Mentioned Resources & Links:Learn about PLN Mastermind Groups at PastorsLeadershipNetwork.com.

In this special interview episode, I sit down with my good friend and evangelist Scott Dawson to talk about the efficacy of the gospel in 2020 and beyond. We’re living in a time when more than ever, people are seeking the answers to the biggest questions in life. Questions like: Why is there so much pain and suffering?What is the meaning of life?What’s going to happen to me when I die? As Scott points out clearly in this episode, the good news of the Gospel gives the answers. We also talk about a variety of other topics including:How to have a backbone of steel and a heart like JesusCOVID-19Racial TensionParentingMentioned Resources & Links:Scott invites you to email him at scott@scottdawson.org or call him at 205-264-8332.You can also find him at Strengthtostand.com and ScottDawson.org. Learn about PLN Mastermind Groups at PastorsLeadershipNetwork.com. Email Les at Les@LesHughes.com to learn more about the PLN Virtual Retreat October 20-22, 2020.

PLP Episode 1: So You’re a Leader. Now What?In this introductory episode to the Pastor’s Leadership Podcast, Les Hughes shares “A Tale of Two CEOs” to illustrate what it really means to be a servant leader from a biblical perspective. Inside this episode:The Why Behind PLNA Tale of Two CEOsA Biblical Look at Servant LeadershipQuote of the week: Leadership is the capacity and will to rally men and women to a common purpose and the character which inspires confidence.  - Bernard Montgomery, British Field Marshall in World War II.Summarizing Thoughts:Leadership is serving, not lording it over others.Jesus is our example. It’s  God that gives us our assignments.Our reward is not of this world.Takeaways:Christian leaders, we’re only as effective as the Holy Spirit empowers us and flows through us.We can only lead others where we ourselves have been. Question to Consider: Are great leaders born or are they made? Mentioned Resources & Links:Learn about PLN Mastermind Groups at PastorsLeadershipNetwork.com. Email Les at Les@LesHughes.com to learn more about the PLN Virtual Retreat October 20-22, 2020.