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.com
EntrePastors.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:

1. Track trends and involvement.
2. Tread lightly but find out why they’re leaving (or have already left) with an honest conversation.
3. Talk to others to get honest feedback about your ministry.
4. Trust God’s providence. 
5. Take the high road — don’t burn bridges.
6. 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 model
• how to overcome limiting beliefs 
• how God wants to use small churches in big ways

Resources:

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:

1. What is it that I’m trying to achieve? 
2. What are the best and the worst possible outcomes?
3. 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.